PORT TOWNSEND — A Tacoma man accused of attempting to elude authorities in Jefferson County over the weekend faces several charges.
Hugo Madriz, 39, was charged in Jefferson County Superior Court on Tuesday with second-degree burglary, first-degree theft and attempting to elude pursuing police vehicle.
Superior Court Judge Keith Harper ordered Madriz held on $25,000 bail.
“Mr. Madriz, at this point I’m going to follow the prosecutor’s recommendation, given your history,” Harper said. “I think you’re a high risk not to show up when you’re supposed to and you don’t have any apparent ties to this community.”
Deputies arrested Madriz on Monday afternoon after he allegedly led them on a short pursuit behind Fat Smitty’s in Discovery Bay.
Law enforcement had been searching for Madriz since about 1 a.m. Sunday after a deputy attempted to pull him over for suspected speeding on state Highway 19 near Airport Road, records say.
As the deputy pursued the man, Madriz drove as fast as 88 mph on Four Corners Road, blew the stop sign at state Highway 20, and finally stopped at Lower Adelma Beach Road, deputies said in court records.
He had a state Department of Corrections warrant and is “known for gang member affiliation and drug possession,” court records say.
He exited the vehicle and left two women passengers in the vehicle.
The passengers told the deputy that they had screamed at Madriz to stop the car, but he remained very calm and continued driving, records say.
The passengers recalled Madriz saying, “Relax, I got this.”
Law enforcement searched the woods in the area, but couldn’t find Madriz, though deputies believe he lost one of his shoes during the run.
The search for Madriz continued throughout the day and he was reportedly seen several times Sunday, though law enforcement officers were not able to track him down.
A deputy responded to a report of stolen bike at about 11 am. Monday on Adelma Beach Road.
The homeowners reported her $7,000 bicycle was gone, her car had been entered and that a pair of size 9 boots were missing.
Shortly thereafter deputies received a tip that Madriz was in a vehicle heading toward Discovery Bay.
When deputies arrived at Fat Smitty’s, they spotted Madriz pushing the bicycle toward the back of the restaurant.
He attempted to hide in a bush about 300 yards behind the restaurant, but deputies spotted him and arrested him without incident, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Madriz was wearing the same size 9 boots reported missing from the home, deputies said in court records.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at [email protected].
