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Police chase a man who stole 4 vehicles 0:59
(CNN) - A man was arrested Sunday after having the state police chase him at high speed with his dog sitting in the driver's seat, a spokeswoman for the Washington State Patrol said.
The Lakewood, Washington, man collided with two cars on separate occasions and failed to stop both times, causing state police officers to chase him at high speed on Interstate 5, the spokeswoman said. There were no reports of serious injuries in any of the accidents.
“I was driving very erratically. So erratically that several people called 911, ”agent Heather Axtman told CNN.
LOOK: Driver jumps out of a car during a high-speed chase
The suspect was driving "absolutely recklessly," and there was a chase at 175 kilometers per hour, he added. One of the officers attempted to corner the suspect's car, looked inside and noticed that a pit bull was sitting in the driver's seat while the suspect was maneuvering the helm, Axtman said.
While trying to evade state police, the suspect drove down the Centennial Trail, a pedestrian and bicycle trail in Snohomish County known to keep busy, according to Axtman.
"The fact that no one was on the road is nothing short of miraculous," added Axtman. "We are very grateful".
Finally, the officers were able to use strips of spikes to end the chase. During the arrest, Axtman commented that the suspect gave them an explanation: "He was trying to teach his dog to drive."
"I wish I could make this up," said Axtman, who is also a public information officer. “I have been an agent for almost 12 years and wow, I have never heard this excuse. I have been in many high speed chases, I have stopped many cars and I have never had an excuse that they were teaching their dog to drive. ”
LOOK: They collide their car in a chase and police rescue them from the flames
The Washington State Patrol accused the man of driving recklessly, crashing and not stopping, driving under the influence, and avoiding crime. His bond was set at $ 8,500 and must be filed with the court on March 30.
As for the dog, Axtman said the "very sweet girl" was taken to the animal shelter after her owner was arrested.
Persecution
