Gig Harbor Police Reports: Wrong-Way Driver, Marijuana Arrest, Vehicle Prowl

The following arrest information was supplied by the Gig Harbor Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.

Agency Assist: On Jan. 1, police were dispatched to a wrong-way motorist traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of State Route 16. The 80-year-old male driver from Gig Harbor was traveling in the 6300 block of SR 16 toward Wollochet Drive NW around 1:50 p.m.

With all emergency equipment activated, the Gig Harbor Police officer proceeded eastbound State Route 16 and could see the silver sedan coming at the him head-on.

The officer stopped his car in the left lane in an attempt to slow traffic behind him as well as to get the attention of the wrong-way driver.

However, the sedan passed the patrol car at about 50 mph and continued westbound.

The officer followed the car and passed the driver. At this point, majority of traffic had either stopped or pulled over to the shoulder.

The officer positioned his car in front of the driver and slowly forced it to a complete stop.

As police contacted the driver, the car was not running but was still in drive, and the hand brake was not applied. When the officer attempted to remove the keys from the ignition, the driver became semi-combative and tried to maintain control of the keys.

The Pierce County Sheriff's deputy arrived and helped gain control of the driver.

Due to the driver's uncooperative behavior, he was removed from the vehicle and secured in handcuffs.

Police requested medical aid response to assess the driver's condition and treat some open wounds on his arms and writes, which officials believe were caused prior to the incident.

The family member of the driver later indicated that the man had Alzheimer's Disease and recently had his driver's license revoked due to medical reasons.

Vehicle Prowl: On Jan. 1, police were dispatched to a vehicle prowl at Home Depot parking lot. An unknown suspect(s) had pried open the truck lid and stole 5 faucet sets, several checks and a briefcase. The estimated total loss was more than $3,000 and additional $500 for damages to the vehicle.

Theft/Arrest: Sometime between Jan. 2 and 6, a 21-year-old man working at Safeway fraudulently activated gift cards during his shifts. The cards totaled at least $800 in value. On Jan. 6, his assistant manager caught him using one of the stolen cards to purchase food. The man was cited for third-degree theft.

Theft: On Jan. 4, an unknown suspect(s) cut the cash box off of a cable and stole it from the Gig Harbor Library. The box contained $25 in cash.

Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance/Arrest: On Jan. 6, police arrested a 17-year-old man in the 6600 block of Wagner Way for unlawful possession of marijuana.

Vehicle Impound: On Jan. 6, police were dispatched to a car accident in the 7100 block of Wagner Way. Upon arrival, the car was sitting perpendicular to the roadway. The vehicle was unlocked, and the driver could not be located nearby.

For questions about this blotter, email akiko.oda@patch.com.