A K-9 unit was deployed to apprehend a suspected impaired driver who refused to surrender to police during a 40-minute standoff on July 26 in Washington. The incident concluded when K-9 Midas was sent through the driver’s side window of the vehicle, according to newly released body camera footage from the Vancouver Police Department.
Officers initially responded to the scene after receiving multiple reports of a driver who appeared to be impaired and was allegedly inhaling from compressed air cans while operating a vehicle. Upon locating the car, officers observed the driver continuing to inhale from a can and attempted a traffic stop. The driver, however, refused to stop, leading officers on a pursuit during which the vehicle struck a curb and nearly drove into a yard.
An officer deployed a Grappler device to disable the vehicle, bringing the pursuit to an end. Despite the vehicle being stopped, the driver refused repeated commands to exit. Officers spent more than 40 minutes attempting to gain compliance, considering options such as a 40 mm less-lethal launcher and pepper balls. The suspect continued to inhale from compressed air cans throughout the standoff and ignored orders to surrender.
Following multiple warnings, officers deployed K-9 Midas through the driver’s side window. The video shows officers quickly surrounding the vehicle after the K-9 entered, and the driver, identified as Brandon Wells, was safely taken into custody.
Wells was booked into the Clark County Jail on charges including attempting to elude police, driving under the influence, reckless driving, and resisting arrest. The Vancouver Police Department released the body and dash camera footage of the incident on a Thursday.