East Wenatchee Police responded to Wenatchee Valley Mall at 8:45 Monday night after a report of a male suspect threatening two women with a machete.

"He also indicated at some point he might have a firearm in his car," said Assistant Chief Ray Coble. "We haven't confirmed that. We're pursuing a search warrant for the vehicle now to see if we can find the firearm."

The male fled in a silver passenger car prior to police arrival and wasn't spotted again until 10:30 on Eastmont Avenue by Douglas County Sheriff's deputies. A pursuit began and the suspect led law enforcement around East Wenatchee and eventually crossing over into Wenatchee.

"Our sergeant tried to set spike strips out on Wenatchee Avenue around Ferry Street and was unsuccessful in getting them deployed in a way that stopped the car, so the pursuit continued," said Coble.

After spike strips were unsuccessful, officers decided to perform a PIT maneuver on the vehicle as it neared Les Schwab on N. Wenatchee Avenue. The vehicle did get struck, but did not spin out as hoped. However, the suspect driver ignited himself on fire and as the vehicle drove into the SavMart parking lot, the suspect exited the vehicle ablaze.

"We found out later he was dousing himself in gasoline as he was driving," said Coble.

Officers extinguished the suspect and took him into custody before he was transported to Central Washington Hospital. However, due to the degree of the fire related injuries, he was airlifted to Harbor View in Seattle. According to the press memo, it is currently uncertain how severe his injuries are.

East Wenatchee Police will pursue charges for kidnapping and threats to kill along with additional charges of felony eluding.

 

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