BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy radioed to What-Comm dispatchers about 1:25am, Sunday, April 24th, they were going to do a traffic stop on southbound I-5 north of the Sunset Drive interchange. Instead of stopping, vehicle exited at Sunset and then reportedly rammed the deputy’s vehicle. A pursuit began southbound on I-5 and multiple law enforcement agencies were dispatched to the area.
The vehicle then reportedly turned and headed northbound in the southbound lanes. The deputy reported that southbound motorists had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid being struck by the wrong way vehicle. The vehicle exited at Sunset Drive with the deputy in their now damaged vehicle in pursuit. They headed southbound on James Street. A Washington State Patrol trooper joined the pursuit while the deputy’s vehicle had to pull out due to the damage to the vehicle.
It was reported a tire on the fleeing vehicle was shredded.
Another attempt to stop the vehicle was made on I-5 between the Iowa Street and Lakeway Drive interchanges and the vehicle was barricaded. Both directions of I-5 were temporarily shut down while law enforcement personnel worked to get the suspect to exit the vehicle.
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Click for more informationAbout 1:40am, reports radioed from the scene were that the driver had exited the vehicle and was taken into custody
Crayton Todd Williams, age 44, of Bellingham, was subsequently arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with suspicion of the following crimes.
- resisting arrest
- attempting to elude a police vehicle
- reckless endangerment
- possession of a stolen vehicle
- 1st degree assault
- unlawful possession of a firearm
- possession of a controlled substance
- driving under the influence
- 3rd degree driving while his license was suspended
- trip permit violation
Williams was out of custody at the time of this incident while awaiting trial in Whatcom County Superior Court in 3 separate other cases where he faces the following charges.
- possession of a stolen vehicle
- attempting to elude a police vehicle
- felony failure to register as a sex offender
Court records indicate Williams has posted 3 bonds worth a total $12,000 which were subsequently forfeited after he failed to appear at hearings as required. He most recently posted a $500 cash bond.
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Click for more informationIn 2016, Williams pled guilty to a felony charge of violating a community custody agreement and received a sentence of 12 months in jail and required to pay $700 in fines, fees and costs. At that time, he was awaiting trial on a felony attempting to elude charge and had prior felony convictions for the following crimes between 1992 and 2011.
- possession of a controlled substance
- bail jumping
- heroin possession
- unlawful possession of a firearm
- 1st degree theft
- 1st degree possession of stolen property
- felony failure to register as a sex offender
- taking indecent liberties
As of 11am, Sunday, April 24th, Williams remained in custody without the option to post bail while awaiting a preliminary hearing.
Officials with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for details.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
Yeah. He should stay in jail.
With that history no bail or an extremely high bail like $500,000 would be a start
When are these liberal judges going to wake up and STOP letting these looser’s back out on the street! Vote them out!!
I’m with you Cheri. Vote out the judges that have a record of astonishing leniency on crime. Thank you Whatcom News for reporting on this criminal’s record. And way to go law enforcement for arresting the perpetrator. You are appreciated by many.
Until we start getting tough on crime this will continue to get worse
I agree. It seems almost DAILY we are reading about another loser OUT ON BAIL doing the same exact things they are out in bail for. It never used to be like this is Whatcom. what is really going on
Yes, thank you law enforcement!!! Now tell the judges to keep them in jail this time. Thank you Whatcom News!
Bellingham is not the city of subdued excitement!! It’s the city of criminals run amuck!! And not being held accountable.
This is ridiculous!!! What happened to the 3 strikes you are out? Bring it back! Such a waste of resources dealing with these dang repeat offenders!