Police pursuit leads to fentanyl, meth bust in central Vancouver

A 33-year-old man was arrested Sunday night in the Van Mall neighborhood, accused of crashing a stolen car during a police pursuit and possessing several hundred fentanyl pills and methamphetamine.

A Clark County sheriff’s deputy spotted a stolen vehicle at 11:49 p.m. traveling near Northeast Andresen Road and 40th Street, according to an agency news release.

When the deputy attempted to pull over the vehicle, it drove away from the traffic stop, the sheriff’s office said.

While fleeing, the driver failed to negotiate a turn at Northeast 40th Street and 66th Avenue. The vehicle went off the road and crashed into a sign, the news release states.

The deputy said the driver exited the vehicle and ran away. The deputy chased the man and arrested him. After initially refusing to identify himself, deputies, who were familiar with him, identified the driver as James Mcauley, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies also found several hundred fentanyl pills and methamphetamine with Mcauley, according to the news release.

Mcauley was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, attempt to elude and possession of a controlled substance.

The Vancouver Police Department assisted with the investigation.