At approximately 3:15 p.m. on February 9, 2023 several Auburn Police Department Officers were dispatched to a robbery call where a local business was robbed in Auburn, WA.
A suspect ran into the store and threatened an employee with a gun demanding cash. The suspect then ran and got into a silver Cadillac.
When Officers arrived on scene, the suspect vehicle quickly fled at a high rate of speed.
Cops gave chase. During the pursuit, a train was approaching. As the railroad crossing arms were descending to stop traffic, the officers had to stop.
However, the driver of the Cadillac continued driving at a high rate of speed and jumped the tracks while the crossing arms were fully extended.
The Cadillac damaged the crossing arms in the process and nearly missed colliding with the train. A pursuit ensued and the driver of the Cadillac continued at a high rate of speed.
Officers pursued the vehicle and located the vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot. It was learned that two suspects ran from the vehicle, and one of the suspects was found hiding in a tree.
After almost two hours of being in the tree, the suspect finally climbed down and was taken into custody without incident. While negotiators were speaking with the suspect in the tree, the suspect was observed smoking what officers believed to be illegal drugs.
The suspect later stated to detectives that the initial motive for the robbery was to sell the stolen goods for money that could be used to buy illegal drugs. The second suspect was never caught.
