By The Associated Press
OLYMPIA (AP) —
Olympia police say quick action by former Gov. Chris Gregoire foiled a man who tried to get into her vehicle as she left a home improvement store.
Sgt. James Partin says the police report shows Gregoire noticed the man watching her late Tuesday morning as she left a Lowe’s store and headed to her car.
She picked up her pace, got in and started to drive away.
The sergeant says the man opened the passenger side door, got his left foot into the car and was partially seated when she accelerated backward and the man fell to the ground.
Gregoire drove to the far side of the parking lot and called police. The man then walked into the store and caused a disturbance in the garden section. Police found him at the back of the store.
The sergeant says 47-year-old Mark Snodderly was cited for disorderly conduct endangering others and taken to a hospital for a mental evaluation.
Partin says the former governor “did a great job.”
Gregoire, a Democrat, served as Washington’s 22nd governor from 2005 to 2013.
