Crime

Suspected drunk driver accused of trying to bribe an officer after 130-mph chase on I-82

A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City, then allegedly trying to bribe an officer.
A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City, then allegedly trying to bribe an officer. Courtesy Benton County Sheriff Office

A Prosser man allegedly led police on a wild chase that reached up to 130 mph Saturday night. Then, after he was arrested, police say he tried to bribe an officer to let him go.

Jacob Munoz, 38, was still on probation following a two-year prison sentence when a Prosser officer suspected he was driving an Audi A4 under the influence, Prosser police said in a Facebook post.

A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City. He then allegedly tried to bribe a police officer.
A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City. He then allegedly tried to bribe a police officer. Courtesy Benton County Sheriff Office

When the officer signaled for him to stop, he sped away and got onto Interstate 82 headed east toward the Tri-Cities. He reached a top speed of 130 mph before pulling off at Benton City, said police.

Benton County sheriff’s deputies were able to use a spike strip to pop the Audi’s tires. The car was finally stopped at the intersection of Old Inland Empire Highway and Knox Road, but Munoz ran from the car, said police.

Officers caught up with him and used a taser before arresting him.

A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City, then allegedly trying to bribe an officer.
A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City, then allegedly trying to bribe an officer. Courtesy Benton County Sheriff Office

As he was being taken to Prosser Memorial Hospital to be checked medically before taking him to the jail, Munoz allegedly tried to bribe the officer to release him, Prosser police said.

Police didn’t say what he offered the officer.

He was booked into the Benton County jail in Kennewick on suspicion of attempting to elude police, bribery, resisting arrest, driving with a revoked license, DUI and driving without an ignition interlock.

A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City. He then allegedly tried to bribe a police officer.
A Prosser man was arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Prosser into Benton City. He then allegedly tried to bribe a police officer. Courtesy Benton County Sheriff Office
CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW