'The Drugs Made Me Do It': Suspect Leads Police On Wild Chase, Brawl Near Gig Harbor

GIG HARBOR, WA - A suspect high on something led police on a wild chase across the Key Peninsula last week that ended in a 9-minute brawl between the suspect at two Pierce County deputies. The suspect's excuse for being so bonkers?

"The drugs made me do it."

The incident started around 2:30 a.m. last Thursday near Home when a deputy spotted a small Honda driving 74 in a 35 MPH zone. Police attempted to stop the car, but it sped away, leading deputies on a twisting chase across the peninsula, sometimes at speeds approaching 90 MPH.

One deputy was able to get out in front of the Honda and place stop-sticks along Key Peninsula Highway near Lakebay. The sticks worked to stop the vehicle, but the suspect got out and ran into the woods. A deputy ran after the suspect and tackled him, but the suspect fought back. The deputy hit the suspect over the head with a flashlight, and another deputy arrived to help - but it still took 9 minutes for the police to get the suspect in cuffs.

Other deputies and Gig Harbor police arrived to help, and a search of the area near the scene of the fight turned up cocaine, methamphetamine, and Viagra, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. Inside the 25-year-old suspect's car, deputies found a machete, a pellet gun, and more drug paraphernalia.

The suspect was taken to jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of drugs, possession with intent to deliver, resisting arrest, and felony eluding. He also had an outstanding warrant for possession of cocaine.

After the fight was over, police said the suspect appeared to be under the influence of a stimulant. That's when he volunteered an excuse for the crazy pursuit: "The drugs made me do it."

Image via Pierce County Sheriff's Office