Whatcom County inmate tries to escape, arrested again

BELLINGHAM — Police say a man who was granted temporary release from the Whatcom County Jail this week to visit a family member in the hospital stole another family member’s vehicle and attempted to flee custody.

Joshua John Vermaat, 41, was being detained at Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of multiple crimes, including attempting to elude police, burglary, theft and identity theft.

On June 25, he was granted a temporary release and was allowed to be taken to the St. Joseph Medical Center by a family member, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.

Instead of returning to jail, Vermaat took a family member’s truck without permission and drove off.

Deputies located Vermaat around midnight in the 2000 block of East Bakerview Road. They attempted a traffic stop, but Vermaat accelerated and led them on a chase northbound on Hannegan Road.

Spike strips were deployed, and they deflated the truck’s tires. Deputies then performed a PIT (precision immobilization technique) maneuver to disable the vehicle.

Vermaat was taken into custody and returned to Whatcom County Jail. He faces new charges of second-degree escape and attempting to elude police.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in the arrest by the Lynden Police Department and the Washington State Patrol.