SEQUIM — A Forks man who deputies say walked out of the Sequim Walmart with nearly $1,000 in merchandise, fled police and attempted to steal a vehicle was jailed over the weekend.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Don Kitchen said he stopped to investigate Saturday after he found a shopping cart in a bush near Walmart — full of unbagged items with security devices still attached.
Inside the cart was a radio control drone, dufflebag, air gun, flashlight, BB gun, tent, holster, tools and several other items, totalling $975.39.
When Kitchen stopped to look at the cart, Jason Brack, 20, stood up from the bushes and attempted to “nonchalantly” walk away, Kitchen said.
“I asked him to talk to me and he bolted,” he said.
Kitchen ran after him.
Kitchen said that while law enforcement was searching for Brack, the suspect ran to a home nearby and asked someone who had just gotten into their vehicle for a ride.
The driver refused, so Brack attempted to pull him out of the vehicle, Kitchen said.
“The guy said ‘no,’ ” Kitchen said. “So [Brack] opened the car door and basically tried to remove him and pull him from the vehicle.”
The driver fought back and Brack was unable to take the car, Kitchen said.
Brack continued to run and ran into several Sequim police officers near West Hendrickson and North Priest roads.
Kitchen said he didn’t know if there was a struggle, but “once I saw the [police] cars, it was only a matter of seconds until I heard ‘one in custody.’ ”
During an interview with Sequim police, Brack admitted to the theft at Walmart and opening the driver’s door, Kitchen said. Brack denied ever touching the driver, Kitchen added.
A video from Walmart shows Brack removing the grocery cart from the store earlier in the day without paying for the items, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Brack was arrested and booked into the Clallam County jail on investigation of second-degree theft and two failure to appear warrants Saturday.
On Sunday, charges for second-degree robbery and failure to obey an officer were added.
The case will be forwarded to the Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for formal charging.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
