Kennewick man tries to run over officers after a night of holiday shoplifting, say police

A Kennewick man tried ramming police officers as he and a woman were fleeing from a night of holiday shoplifting.

David Goertzen, 46, was waiting in a stolen SUV in the parking lot of the Richland Walmart as Kaela Lashbrook, 29, was stealing items inside the store, said Richland and West Richland police.

Store employees spotted the thief and alerted police about 10:30 p.m. Monday. As officers arrived, Lashbrook ran to the SUV and hopped inside. Goertzen sped away, starting a chase through Richland, said police.

As officers placed spike strips to puncture the tires of the fleeing car, Goertzen drove at the cops. The officers were able to avoid getting hit, but Goertzen also avoided the strips.

The chase lasted for several minutes at slow speeds, and Richland officers were joined by West Richland police and Washington State Patrol troopers.

A West Richland officer ended the chase at Keene and Shockley roads by forcing Goertzen to spin out.

The coupe was arrested and booked into the Benton County jail.

Goertzen is being held on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, second-degree assault, attempting to elude and resisting arrest. Lashbrook of Milton-Freewater was booked on investigation of shoplifting.