PORT ANGELES — A police chase that began on Lauridsen Boulevard ended in the hills south of Port Angeles with two men in custody Saturday.
Mathew M. Malcomb Jr., 19, and Scott A. Schroeder Jr., 22, both of Port Angeles, stopped the white Nissan Maxima they were traveling in and surrendered to pursuing Port Angeles police officers on Little River Road at 6:05 p.m., about a half- mile east of Black Diamond Road where Clallam County sheriff’s deputies were waiting with a spike strip.
The passenger, Schroeder, was arrested on investigation of possession of methamphetamine and one misdemeanor warrant.
The driver, Malcomb, was arrested on investigation of attempting to elude police officers, driving with a suspended license and three misdemeanor warrants.
The chase began at 5:52 p.m. when Port Angeles Cpl. Jesse Winfield, who had begun driving behind the Maxima on Lauridsen Boulevard, saw Malcomb speed off after noticing the patrol vehicle behind him, Winfield said.
Soon after he took chase, Winfield said Schroeder tossed three packages of methamphetamine out the window: one rolled up in a dollar bill and two others in small plastic bags.
The Maxima and pursuing police officers zig-zagged through east Port Angeles before reaching Little River Road via Mount Angeles Road.
Winfield said the winding dirt road is a favorite route for those attempting to flee officers because it’s a way to get to U.S. Highway 101 near Lake Aldwell, and there are plenty of woods to hide in.
Usual chase route
“A lot of car chases go up that road,” he said.
Winfield said Malcomb and Schroeder surrendered by stopping the car and putting their hands out the windows.
“I think their car was not performing the way he wanted it to,” he said.
As of 8:30 p.m., police were waiting to hear from the owner of the Maxima to find out if it was stolen.
The car was sold within the last two days, and Winfield said that he, knowing the previous owner had a warrant for his arrest, was following it. He said he was about to pull Malcomb over, believing that the previous owner was driving, when he took off.
“I didn’t even have a chance to turn my lights on,” he said.
Lower Elwha Klallam police and Olympic National Park rangers assisted in the chase.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.