In Washington, a dramatic 40-minute standoff concluded with the arrest of a suspected impaired driver, captured on newly released body camera footage. The tense situation unfolded when police deployed a K-9 unit through the car’s driver’s side window after the suspect refused to surrender.
On Thursday, the Vancouver Police Department shared footage from both body and dash cameras depicting a chase on July 26. The pursuit came to an end when K-9 Midas made a decisive leap through the window, aiding officers in apprehending the suspect.
The police were alerted to the situation after receiving several reports about a driver exhibiting signs of impairment. Witnesses described the driver as unconscious behind the wheel and allegedly using compressed air cans while operating the vehicle.
During the standoff, K-9 Midas was instrumental in subduing the suspect, according to the Vancouver Police Department. (Vancouver Police Department)
Upon locating the vehicle, officers witnessed the driver continuing to inhale from a can, prompting them to initiate a traffic stop in an effort to address the dangerous situation.
Police said the driver refused to stop. Video shows the vehicle striking a curb, accelerating and nearly driving into a yard as it attempted to evade officers.
According to police, the driver’s actions posed an immediate danger to others on the road, prompting an officer to deploy a Grappler device that successfully brought the vehicle to a stop.
Even after the vehicle stopped, the driver refused repeated commands to get out, police said.
Police used a Grappler device to stop a vehicle after officers said the driver refused to pull over and posed a danger to others on the road. (Vancouver Police Department)
Officers spent more than 40 minutes communicating with the driver and evaluating multiple options to gain compliance, including a 40mm less-lethal launcher and pepper balls.
Police said the driver continued inhaling from compressed air cans throughout the standoff and refused repeated commands to surrender.
After multiple warnings, officers deployed K-9 Midas through the driver’s side window.
The video shows officers quickly surrounding the vehicle after the K-9 entered the car before safely taking the driver into custody.
Officers take Brandon Wells into custody after a 40-minute roadside standoff in Vancouver, Washington, police said. (Vancouver Police Department)
The suspect, Brandon Wells, was booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, reckless driving and resisting arrest.