Suspect arrested after pursuit and standoff in Thurston County

A man was arrested on Feb. 14 following a police pursuit and standoff in Thurston County, according to a Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) police report.

The incident began when Olympia Police Department personnel attempted to stop a white Ford Ranger that fled south on Interstate 5 near Highway 101.

A TCSO deputy later spotted the vehicle at Center Street SW and 83rd Avenue SW, and attempted a traffic stop. But the driver, identified as John J. Payette, apparently refused to comply.

As authorities pursued the vehicle, the suspect continued to evade law enforcement, eventually ramming a patrol car.

Authorities attempted several maneuvers to stop the vehicle, but Payette continued accelerating and tried to escape.

After multiple interventions, pursuing authorities managed to pin the vehicle, but the suspect remained inside and refused to surrender.

“I was informed that he was extremely aggressive towards law enforcement. I was informed that the suspect has bitten officers in the past and force was required to take him into custody in the past,” a TCSO deputy reported in the police report.

Officers deployed various nonviolent tactics, including verbal commands, pepper ball rounds, 40 MM direct impact launcher and OC spray, but he continued to resist.

The suspect was observed to be displaying erratic behavior shouting, “I’ll rip all your badges off and cut your legs off,” and using a lighter like a firearm and made a “finger gun motion,” pointing his index and middle fingers at authorities.

After a final warning of releasing a K-9 unit and informing the suspect that he would be bitten, a K-9 dog went inside the car, and together with the deputies, were able to remove the suspect from the vehicle.

Payette continued to resist arrest, striking both a deputy and the K-9 dog before being restrained.

Medics evaluated the suspect at the scene, due to dog bites and being exposed to the pepper balls and OC spray chemicals.

The suspect was also observed to be exhibiting signs of drug intoxication, and later allegedly admitted to using cocaine.

He was transported to a hospital for further evaluation and after being cleared, he was transported and booked into Thurston County Jail.

Payette faces multiple charges stemming from the incident, including eluding law enforcement, resisting arrest, assaulting an officer, harming a police K-9 and driving under the influence.