Bellingham man accused of swinging axe at police, smashing up Bellis Fair Mall
Posted March 15, 2022 11:52 am.
Last Updated March 15, 2022 11:53 am.
A Bellingham man faces a slew of charges after police in Washington state say he drove his car into Bellis Fair mall and swung an axe at police.
At about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, police say a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped a vehicle for erratic driving and suspected the driver may have been drunk. The driver sped off and police gave chase.
Police say the driver blew through several red lights and stop signs and then came close to a patrol car and swung an axe towards the officer in the driver’s seat. The axe smashed the cruiser several times before police drove away. The suspect then drove directly towards officers, allegedly swinging the axe out of the window.
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A spike belt was rolled out, but the driver managed to avoid it, eventually hitting another car before taking off on the I5 and exiting at Bellis Fair Mall and smashing into the front doors of the food court at the mall. Police say the suspect then swung the axe at the glass doors and ran inside, smashing more doors and windows at several businesses inside the mall.
Officers used “several less lethal force options, including impact munitions (flexible batons), chemical irritants and taser applications,” police say.
The man was eventually arrested and taken outside for treatment of minor injuries. Police say he then kicked a gurney, hurting a firefighter.
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In total, about a dozen stores and restaurants at Bellis Fair Mall were “significantly damaged,” with total damage estimated at $100,000.
David Anderson, 32, faces 11 charges, including burglary, assault, malicious mischief, trying to elude police, and hit and run.
