Picking fights in a Main Street bar was the beginning of a chain of events that ended up with a man being booked into jail for a slew of charges.
Thursday night just before 11pm, Ferndale Police officers were dispatched to Main Street and 1st Avenue due to a report of an intoxicated male at a bar trying to pick fights. As officers were arriving, they were advised the suspect had left the bar on foot and seen heading toward 3rd Avenue.
According to Ferndale Police Sergeant Kevin Davis, “As one of our officers came into the area, he saw a white Honda Accord leaving the area with no headlights on at a very high rate of speed (almost 60 MPH on Main Street). The officer turned around to stop the vehicle and after turning on his emergency lights, the vehicle continued to flee onto Hovander Road from Main Street. While this was happening, [there was a report that a] white Honda Accord had just been stolen from the area of Main and 4th.”
According to Davis, the suspect in the stolen vehicle reached the S-curves at the railroad crossing on Hovander Road, he crashed into the bushes and fled on foot.
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Click for more informationFerndale Police officers, with the assistance of Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K9, tracked the driver from the crash. The driver was taken into custody and identified as Eric B. Rooth, age 51.
Rooth was booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, attempting to elude, hit and run, vehicle theft and 3rd degree attempted escape. Rooth has since posted bond and been released.
Davis said the stolen vehicle was recovered and returned to its owner.