BLAINE, Wash. — According to unconfirmed emergency radio transmissions today, December 12th, officials with Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and the Washington State Patrol (WSP) were notified by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about 1:30pm that a black Toyota Tundra pickup had driven through the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine without stopping. Soon after, it was learned the pickup had been commandeered a man who threatened its driver with a knife north of the border crossing.
Multiple agencies joined what eventually became a caravan of law enforcement vehicles in front of and behind the pickup as it proceeded southbound on I-5. A CBP helicopter also maintained visual contact from the air.
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024). 
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024). 
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024). 
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024). 
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024). 
Law enforcement caravan tracking a stolen pickup that had failed to stop at the US-Canada border (December 12, 2024).
There were reports of attempts to throw spike strips in the path of the pickup but these failed as the pickup navigated around them.
Speeds were reportedly close to the speed limit until the caravan reached south Bellingham at which point it was reported that speed has increased to around 90mph.
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As the caravan crossed the Whatcom-Skagit County line, Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and WSP troopers assigned to Skagit County were notified.
Just prior to 2pm, WSP reported the pickup had been stopped and was off the roadway north of the Bow Hill rest area, but the driver was failing to exit the pickup or follow commands being given.
It was reported about 2:05pm that the driver had been taken into custody.
The WSP provided a recap about 3:15pm. In it, they said that a CBP officer was nearly struck at the crossing when the pickup drove through.
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Stop sticks were utilized as an alternative means to end the pursuit but were unsuccessful. Troopers observed problems maintaining lane position as well as varying speed as the pursuit entered into Skagit County. Troopers coordinated to deploy stop sticks near Bow Hill Rest Area.
A PIT maneuver was utilized to bring the vehicle to stop and, with assistance from Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and CBP, the driver was taken into custody. Troopers recovered a machete, and the vehicle was identified signed stolen from British Columbia.
– Washington State Patrol (December 12, 2024)
Machete discovered in stolen pickup used to crash through the border (December 12, 2024). Photo: WSP 
Scene where law enforcement agencies stopped and took a man into custody after he crashed through the border in a stolen pickup (December 12, 2024). Photo: WSP 
Scene where law enforcement agencies stopped and took a man into custody after he crashed through the border in a stolen pickup (December 12, 2024). Photo: WSP
The Washington State Department of Transportation said all lanes of southbound I-5 were closed until about 2:45pm.
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