PORT ANGELES — Nicholas Tyler Roberts, a convicted felon who fled from police during a traffic stop last week, has been arrested, Chief of Police Brian Smith said Friday.
The 24-year-old was arrested after a brief foot pursuit near the western Eighth Street bridge over Tumwater Truck Route at about 10 a.m., Smith said.
He surrendered before police K-9 dog Cooper could join the chase, Sgt. Tom Kuch said.
Roberts was booked into the Clallam County jail for investigation of two counts of obstructing a law enforcement officer, vehicle prowl and a state Department of Corrections escape warrant.
He is expected to make a preliminary appearance in Clallam County Superior Court at 1 p.m. Monday.
Roberts also fled from police during a traffic stop in West Port Angeles on Dec. 27.
“We’ve been looking for him for a while, and he’s been elusive, to put it mildly,” Kuch said. Kuch added that Roberts had run from police about six times since he was a teenager. “This time we got him,” he said.
Officer Kelly Perry observed a van with its taillight out and initiated a traffic stop near Eighth and B streets at 9:56 a.m.
Roberts fled from the vehicle with Perry in pursuit.
“They ran though some backyards between A and B and Eighth and Ninth [streets],” Kuch said.
“They eventually came out to Ninth Street, where he turned east and went down the gully that goes into the Truck Route.”
Police established a perimeter around the area. Officers believed that Roberts was hiding on the edge of the gully. Police Cpl. Sky Sexton informed Roberts that Officer Whitney Fairbanks and her K-9 partner, Copper, were prepared to give chase when Roberts surrendered, Kuch said.
“He gave up before we had to do that,” Kuch said of the K-9 pursuit.
Roberts was arrested without further incident at the edge of the gully near the corner of Ninth and A streets.
On Dec. 27, Roberts fled from officers after a traffic stop in the area of Eighth and D streets.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at [email protected].
