On August 11, 2014 at
approx. 0105 hours, Fife Police Officers were dispatched to a possible robbery
of a citizen by gunpoint in the 1500 block of Port of Tacoma Road. The caller
provided vague details, identified herself as “Sheri”, and stated she was
“almost robbed” by a subject she identified as “Phil”. The caller
described the suspect as driving a dark blue Ford Explorer and provided a license
plate for the vehicle.
Officers located the
vehicle and attempted to make contact with the female driver and male
passenger. An additional officer attempted to locate the caller a short
distance away. As officers contacted the vehicle, a struggle ensued with
the female driver. The vehicle was placed into reverse with the officer trapped
inside the open doorway. The officer was dragged a short distance and dislodged
from the vehicle. The vehicle was placed into drive and proceeded toward at the
officer. Fearing for their safety, the officer discharged their firearm
into the vehicle. The vehicle fled the parking lot and onto S/B Port of Tacoma
Road. Unable to locate the victim caller, a responding officer began to pursue
the vehicle. The vehicle entered S/B I-5 and began to accelerate. The pursuing
officer reported two bright flashes from within the vehicle, heard two loud
pops, and observed the rear window of the suspect vehicle shatter. The pursuing
officer, believing they were being fired upon, took evasive action and created
distance. The officer pursued the vehicle into Tacoma, losing sight of the
vehicle in the 4600 block of “G” Street.
The suspect vehicle was
later located unoccupied in Spanaway. The vehicle was struck by gunfire and it
appears the occupants may have sustained injuries.
The original contact
Officer was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and released. The
pursuing Officer received no injuries.
