BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A carjacking and subsequent police chase spanned the freeway from British Columbia to Skagit County, resulting in a temporary blocked lane near Alger on the afternoon of Dec. 12.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) spokesperson Brad Tulloch said troopers were notified of a carjacking using a knife at the Blaine Peace Arch border crossing at around 1:30 p.m.
A Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer was nearly hit at the crossing and the border agents began a pursuit of the vehicle as it headed south on I-5. As the car moved into Bellingham, troopers took over the chase, observing reckless driving and pursuing on the crime of felony eluding. After failing to stop the car in Whatcom County, troopers with Skagit County units tried again to stop the car once it crossed county lines.
With the assistance of Whatcom Sheriff’s office and CBP, troopers were able to stop the vehicle and take the driver into custody. Tulloch adds that troopers recovered a machete, and the vehicle was identified as stolen from British Columbia.
On Friday, Trooper Brad Tulloch says that 42-year-old Shawn Bergstrom was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on Thursday afternoon. Bergstrom has been identified as the suspect driver involved in the cross-border pursuit.
Bergstrom faces several charges, including assault, reckless driving and driving without a valid license.
British Columbia court records state that Bergstrom previously served time in jail for obstructing police and assault charges.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13.
