On July 6, 2010 at 9:45 AM Port Angeles Police Department Corporal Bob Ensor was on patrol near the 200 block of East 5th Street.   He observed a gray Toyota 4-Runner exceeding the posted speed limit.   Corporal Ensor activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle.  The truck failed to yield to the officer and took what appeared to be evasive action.  The suspect vehicle sped up, turned into a bank parking lot, and then continued through in the wrong direction.  The vehicle proceeded a short distance on Lincoln Street, drove through a gas station, and continued to fail to yield to the officer’s lights and siren.   The vehicle continued westbound on 5th Street and accelerated up to estimated speeds of 40 mph.   The vehicle turned onto Laurel Street and eventually came to a stop in the 600 block of south Laurel Street.   Additional officers responded and Laurel Street was blocked off as officers conducted a high risk vehicle stop.   Three persons in the vehicle were detained by officers.

Investigation showed that the driver of the vehicle, Douglas J. Edwards, of Port Angeles, had a Washington State Department of Corrections “order for apprehension”.  Edwards was transported to the Clallam County Jail and booked on the warrant.   The investigation also showed that during the short pursuit the passengers both urged the driver to stop the car.   Both passengers were released.  

Based on the excessive speed, time of day, location and direction of pursuit, both passengers informing the driver of their desire for him to stop, the apparent reason for the erratic driving, and the continued failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, the case has been referred to the County Prosecutor for possible felony charges of “Attempting to Elude” and “Unlawful Imprisonment”.   Edwards remains in the custody of the Department of Corrections warrant. 

Deputy Chief of Police Brian Smith: “Persons who knowingly use a vehicle to attempt to evade law enforcement create a substantial risk to themselves, to the public, and to responding officers”.