The use of a police drone and K-9 unit helped lead to the arrest of an 18-year-old SeaTac man in Kent for investigation of second-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The incident began just before midnight on Monday, May 20, when officers were dispatched to the Sterling Ridge Apartments in the 11300 block of SE Kent-Kangley Road regarding a 911 call of threats with a weapon, according to a Kent Police news release.
A security guard had just located a stolen vehicle on the property and called when three suspects suddenly returned to the vehicle. They reportedly intended to enter the stolen car and take off. The guard, a 29-year-old Federal Way man, had told them no one was leaving in the vehicle because it was stolen, and he was waiting for the police to arrive.
The suspects fled on foot with the guard in pursuit attempting to detain them, according to police. One suspect, an 18-year-old SeaTac man, did not want to be captured, and allegedly physically fought with the guard. The suspect then reportedly pushed a gun into the guard’s chest. The guard slapped the gun away forcing it to fall to the ground,. The suspect disengaged when disarmed and fled on foot.
“He ran away so fast he came out his shoes, leaving them behind at the scene,” police said.
The guard secured the gun and contacted the police who took custody of the 9mm which was later entered into evidence.
During the police investigation, the guard saw the suspect who had snuck back onto the property. Kent officers immediately set a protective perimeter and called out an Auburn K-9 team to search.
While the K-9 unit was tracking, a Kent officer deployed a drone and was able to give directive info to assist the ground patrol units and K-9 team. K-9 located the suspect on 116th Avenue SE, and he was taken into custody. He was later transported to the King County jail.
Detectives continued the investigation and later filed a felony case for second-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, after confirming the man was ineligible to possess a firearm.
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