Stolen mail truck triggers 2-state chase
VANCOUVER, Wash. - A woman was arrested after she stole a mail truck and led police on a bizarre New Year's Eve chase from downtown Portland, Ore., through Vancouver, Wash., and up into Clark County on Interstate 5, police said.
The chase began when Washington State Patrol troopers went after the stolen mail delivery truck that was speeding up the freeway.
The truck apparently was stolen at about 7:30 p.m. as it was undergoing servicing near the main U.S. post office in Northwest Portland.
State troopers in Clark County spotted the truck speeding north on I-5 as containers fell from the truck's open back end - but it wasn't carrying any mail.
"It's pretty unusual. We usually don't end up chasing mail trucks," said one trooper who responded to the scene.
The truck continued north up the freeway even as patrol cars chased after it with emergency lights flashing and sirens wailing.
State troopers finally used nail strips to puncture three of the vehicle's tires.
The driver pulled off at La Center, ran from the truck and was captured at a nearby gas station.
Authorities initially believed the woman was a postal employee because she wore a blue vest, but that was not the case, said Washington State Patrol Sgt. Thomas Butsch.
Trooper said the woman didn't have any identification on her and was less than cooperative after her arrest.
"She won't tell us anything," said a trooper at the scene. "Won't talk to us at all. Spit at us a couple of times, but won't talk to us."
Authorities said there is no evidence that the woman had been drinking or anything else that would explain her strange behavior.
Troopers did use a stun gun on her during her arrest, but it had little effect.
U.S. Postal Service authorities were not available for comment.
The chase began when Washington State Patrol troopers went after the stolen mail delivery truck that was speeding up the freeway.
The truck apparently was stolen at about 7:30 p.m. as it was undergoing servicing near the main U.S. post office in Northwest Portland.
State troopers in Clark County spotted the truck speeding north on I-5 as containers fell from the truck's open back end - but it wasn't carrying any mail.
"It's pretty unusual. We usually don't end up chasing mail trucks," said one trooper who responded to the scene.
The truck continued north up the freeway even as patrol cars chased after it with emergency lights flashing and sirens wailing.
State troopers finally used nail strips to puncture three of the vehicle's tires.
The driver pulled off at La Center, ran from the truck and was captured at a nearby gas station.
Authorities initially believed the woman was a postal employee because she wore a blue vest, but that was not the case, said Washington State Patrol Sgt. Thomas Butsch.
Trooper said the woman didn't have any identification on her and was less than cooperative after her arrest.
"She won't tell us anything," said a trooper at the scene. "Won't talk to us at all. Spit at us a couple of times, but won't talk to us."
Authorities said there is no evidence that the woman had been drinking or anything else that would explain her strange behavior.
Troopers did use a stun gun on her during her arrest, but it had little effect.
U.S. Postal Service authorities were not available for comment.