Man arrested after drive-by shootings, chase near Toppenish

TOPPENISH, Wash. —  Authorities on Saturday night arrested a 19-year-old Buena man who they say sideswiped a patrol car during a high-speed chase after multiple drive-by shootings.

It began with reports from Toppenish police of multiple drive-by shootings in the Toppenish area about 2 p.m., according to a news release from the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office. When a deputy in the area attempted to pull over a suspicious vehicle near the intersection  of Fraley and Buena roads, the driver took off at speeds that exceeded 100 mph.

The chase went on for several miles, and at one point the driver ran off the road at the intersection of McDonald Road and Rowberry Way, just outside of Toppenish.

As the driver maneuvered back onto McDonald Road, his vehicle sideswiped a deputy’s patrol car. The deputy was not injured.

Later in the chase, officers slowed down due to poor visibility on the dusty Willowtree Lane, authorities said. Moments later, the vehicle was found abandoned inside a mobile home court on Willowtree Lane.

Deputies found a scoped rifle in the vehicle, along with spent shell casings and bullets, according to the release.

After a search of the area, deputies found two people believed to have been passengers during the pursuit.

About seven hours later, deputies found the man they believe to have been the driver inside his Buena home. The man — who authorities say has gang connections — had shaved his head in an apparent attempt to change his appearance.

Deputies are investigating whether the rifle found in the man’s vehicle is connected to a shooting reported about 1:45 a.m. Saturday on Crewport Lane, north of Granger.

The man was arrested on pending charges of eluding and second-degree assault.

— Melissa Sánchez