The suspect in a Camas burglary has been captured and booked in jail on multiple charges following a manhunt on Monday that lasted several hours.
Camas Police Department Sgt. Scot Boyles said the incident came to a close just after 1 p.m. when a resident called 911 to report that the suspect had been spotted in a backyard at the 2500 block of Quartz Street. A chase with officers ensued and the man, identified as 24-year-old Bradley Eric Jensen, of Arlington, Wash., was caught.
“The K-9 unit got him,” Boyles said, “and the officers were able to apprehend him.”
Boyles said the incident started at 10:22 a.m. when a 911 call was made reporting a burglary that was interrupted at the 1600 block of Northwest 27th Avenue. A citizen had arrived at his daughter’s home and witnessed a man leaving the house with stolen property.
According to Police Chief Mitch Lackey, the citizen attempted to stop Jensen, but Jensen was able to make it to his vehicle. The citizen tried to disable Jensen’s car by breaking the key off in the ignition.
Lackey said police arrived on scene almost immediately and discovered Jensen in the stolen vehicle. An officer confronted the suspect, who ignored his command to exit the vehicle. The officer then busted out the driver’s side window, reached through it and tried to grab Jensen in an attempt to detain him. The suspect was then able to get the vehicle started and proceeded to ram it into a patrol car. Jensen left the scene in his vehicle, ditched it about a block away, then fled on foot.
During Jensen’s escape, CPD Officer Tim Fellows was dragged along the side the vehicle and then fell to the ground. According to Boyles, Fellows received minor injuries to his hand and was taken to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver. He was treated and released yesterday.
Boyles said a containment area of about 10 square blocks was set up and K-9 units were brought in to help in the search.
“The track was lengthy,” Boyles said. “It went into a heavily wooded area and took well over an hour.” For a short period of time the nearby Dorothy Fox Elementary School was placed on lock down, but when officers confirmed the suspect was headed in the opposite direction it was lifted.
After being apprehended, the suspect was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, where he was treated for minor dog bite wounds.
“That’s standard procedure when the K-9 unit is involved,” Boyles said.
Jensen was booked in the Clark County Jail on charges of robbery, residential burglary, theft, possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, hit-and-run and two counts of third-degree assault.
The case remains under investigation; additional charges could be added.
In addition to the CPD, responding agencies included the Washougal Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and the Battle Ground Police Department.
Lackey, who spoke about the incident during last night’s City Council meeting, said the situation was resolved in the best way possible.
“I’m very proud of everyone involved — all of our guys, all of the people who helped us,” Lackey said. “It all worked out this time.”
