On Sunday, September 29, 2024, an alert Snoqualmie-North Bend Police Department sergeant was starting his shift with a stop at Huxdotter Coffee in North Bend when he observed a vehicle in the drive-thru line ahead of him.
While waiting to place his order, the sergeant conducted a routine check of the vehicle’s registration and found that the registered owner had a suspended driver’s license in the 2nd degree.
After confirming with the barista who had been driving the vehicle when the order was picked up, the sergeant stopped the vehicle near ACE Hardware. The suspect was issued a criminal traffic citation for driving with a suspended license and given a court date.
Before leaving, the sergeant warned the driver not to move the vehicle, or he would be arrested and booked into jail.
The sergeant returned to the drive-thru to retrieve his coffee but was informed by the barista that the driver had paid with what appeared to be a counterfeit $100 bill.
The sergeant returned to the suspect, who was still in his vehicle at ACE Hardware. This time, the suspect was placed under arrest.
Upon removing the suspect from the vehicle, the sergeant noticed additional counterfeit bills inside the car, as well as what appeared to be an AR-style rifle on the rear floorboard. The vehicle was sealed for a search warrant and transported to a secure facility.
During the vehicle search, the rifle was found to have been stolen in 2020 and was loaded with four rounds of ammunition. Around 30 counterfeit $100 bills were also recovered. The suspect now faces multiple felony charges.
Reflecting on the incident, Chief Lynch commented on the importance of officers staying alert, even during routine activities.
“We only have to go back to 2009 for an example of how dangerous it really is for our officers when they put the uniform on each day. Four Lakewood Police Officers sat down at a coffee shop to start their shift when they were murdered for just wearing the badge. Every officer who works in this country accepts a certain amount of risk each day when they wear the uniform. In order to stay safe, officers have to maintain a high level of awareness throughout their day as they constantly assess their environment for dangers. Sergeant Weiss walked up to that vehicle thinking it was ‘just’ going to be a criminal traffic violation, but it turned out to be a very dangerous car he was standing at. He used his training and experience to navigate his way through the incident without anyone getting hurt. In my opinion, he could not have done a better job of getting this armed criminal in custody.”
Lynch further praised the sergeant’s handling of the situation as it escalated: “The sergeant acted within the boundaries set by the U.S. Constitution’s 4th Amendment. He developed probable cause to believe that, more likely than not, a crime had been committed. The circumstances of this case were fluid and changed over time. Sergeant Weiss did a great job of moving through this case, and his hard work is evident by the willingness of the King County Prosecutor’s Office to accept this case for charging.”
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in police work, where even routine tasks can quickly escalate into dangerous situations. Thanks to the sergeant’s actions, a suspect is in custody, and a stolen firearm has been recovered, keeping the community safer.
[Photo credit: Snoqualmie Police Department Facebook Page]
