FERNDALE, Wash. — A man, out of custody on bail while awaiting charges related to an incident back in February where he is suspected of assaulting a woman and a child by ramming their vehicle, is back in jail now suspected of brandishing a weapon, assault and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Bailey Rae McCorkhill, age 26, posted either a $50,000 bond or $5,000 cash and was released from custody on February 26th.
According to Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Jacob Kennett, WSP dispatch call received reports of a weapon brandishing incident on northbound I-5 near the Portal Way interchange in Ferndale about 2:30pm on Wednesday, May 11th.
Click for more information
Click for more informationThe victim said she was traveling with another adult and a 1-year-old child when she noticed a tan Toyota Camry driving erratically and tailgating her vehicle near the Sunset Drive interchange in Bellingham.
Looking in her rearview mirror the victim saw what she described as the driver of the Toyota yelling and making gestures with his hand in the shape of a gun and pointing it at her.
The Toyota continued tailgating her until arriving at the Portal Way interchange at which point it exited I-5 and then reentered via the on-ramp in what appeared to be an effort to get ahead of traffic.
Click for more information
Click for more informationThe Toyota was then ahead of the victim and continued northbound with the victim following.
The victim exited at Peace Portal Drive and in doing so observed the driver of the Toyota point a black gun at her.
WSP troopers responded to the area and contacted the victim. A search of the area did not locate the suspect, later identified as McCorkhill.
Click for more information
Click for more informationTroopers were able to develop probable cause to arrest McCorkhill for 1st degree assault and brandishing a weapon.
Later that same day, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies located him at a family member’s residence on W Axton Road. When they attempted to contact him, McCorkhill barricaded himself within the residence, told them he had a gun, and that he was going to kill himself if they did not leave.
WCSO Spokesperson Deb Slater said their SWAT team surrounded the house and negotiators worked for approximately 4 hours to get McCorkhill to surrender peacefully. He was ultimately taken into custody without incident about 1am and booked in jail by WCSO deputies about 1:40am.
Records indicate WCSO had established probable cause to arrest McCorkhill for 4th degree domestic violence assault and possession of a stolen vehicle during prior incidents deputies investigated on April 19th and May 8th.