Man allegedly wielded hatchet, rammed car

A Vancouver man accused of brandishing a hatchet at Wal-Mart employees and later ramming a pursuing police vehicle made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court.

Calvin S. Cunningham, 25, appeared on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice, two counts of attempting to elude, possession of a stolen vehicle, hit-and-run injury and first-degree assault.

On Saturday, Cunningham entered the Wal-Mart at 221 N.E. 104th Ave. and allegedly stole a BB gun, according to court documents. He was contacted by store employees at the front door, and they attempted to detain him, but he threw the gun at one of the employees, according to a probable cause affidavit. Another employee followed him outside, and Cunningham took out a hatchet and started swinging it at him, the affidavit states.

At about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, a Vancouver police officer saw Cunningham driving a blue Subaru Impreza in the 13600 block of Southeast 19th Street. He recognized Cunningham from a bulletin from the prior day’s incident, a separate probable cause affidavit states.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle near Southeast 136th Avenue and 19th Street. Cunningham made a U-turn and sped in the officer’s direction, colliding with his patrol car, court records said. The officer said he experienced pain in his neck and left knee.

Cunningham did not stop and eluded the officer on Southeast McGillivray Boulevard at speeds in excess of 80 mph, according to court documents.

Another officer saw the Subaru about 20 minutes later near Southeast Chkalov Drive and McGillivray. That officer attempted to stop Cunningham, whose vehicle was traveling more than 90 mph, the affidavit said.

Cunningham later ditched the car near North Garrison Road and East Mill Plain Boulevard and ran, according to court records. Police later caught up with him. The car he was driving was reported stolen, court documents said.

During his court appearance, Judge Gregory Gonzales appointed Cunningham an attorney and set his bail at $125,000, court records show.

He will be arraigned Oct. 7.