Dirt Biker Sparks Brush Fire, Leads Deputies On Chase Through Bonney Lake

BONNEY LAKE, WA - A dirt biker reportedly caused a brush fire and then led police on a wild chase through a neighborhood near Bonney Lake on Wednesday morning. When police finally caught up to him, they found the 33-year-old man in possession of drugs and possible stolen property.

Around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Pierce County deputies responded to a report of a brush fire along Falling Water Boulevard East south of Bonney Lake. At the scene, a witness reported that a dirt bike was seen leaving the area right before the fire.

Police began searching for the biker to make sure he or she wasn't injured. Suddenly, a man riding a dirt bike emerged from a wooded area, saw the deputies, and then tore off through a nearby housing development.

Deputies located the biker inside the development, but he swerved around them and drove off-road. The biker went down an embankment, crashed into a boulder and barbed wire, and got knocked off the bike. Even still, the suspect would not stop fleeing, police reported, and even reached his hand into his pocket as if to grab a weapon.

At gunpoint, police put the man in handcuffs. When they searched him, they found brass knuckles, needles, marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription antidepressants, and five pieces of womens jewelry. On top of that, police discovered the dirt bike was stolen.

The suspect was taken to jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a controlled substance, plus a probation violation and a U.S. Marshals hold.

The dirt bike's owner was notified that his bike had been recovered, according to police.

Image via Pierce County Sheriff's Office