Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Spokane man leads deputies on chase at speeds in excess of 100 mph
COLFAX – A Walla Walla man who led deputies on a chase from Colfax to Washtucna in a stolen car April 6 is being held on $150,000 bail.
Brandin Rencken, 29, of Walla Walla, was arrested and booked into the Whitman County Jail for driving under the influence, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle, records show.
The arrest came after a Washington State University police officer reported seeing a stolen black 2012 Mini Cooper heading north on U.S. Highway 195 toward Colfax and turned on emergency lights in an attempt to stop the driver, Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers said.
The driver — later identified as Rencken — didn’t stop and tried to outrun law enforcement, Myers said, noting the pursuit reached speeds of more than 100 mph as deputies joined in the pursuit.
The vehicle then entered Colfax and turned west on State Highway 26, he said.
“As the vehicle continued westbound, the deputy observed several other violations consistent with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance,” Myers said. “At that time, deputies again attempted to stop the vehicle, which initiated a pursuit when the driver failed to pull over.”
Deputies followed the Mini Cooper at speeds of more than 100 mph for 45 minutes from Colfax into Adams County, records show.
West of Washtucna, the Washington State Patrol used spike strips to deflate three tires on the fleeing car, records show. The driver continued for two more miles before the vehicle stopped.
“Rencken has a lengthy criminal history to include prior charges of motor vehicle theft, property crimes, and narcotics violations,” Myers said.
The car was stolen in Pullman and a search of it revealed small amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the vehicle, records show.
Bill Stevenson is the former editor of the Whitman County Gazette, Colfax Daily Bulletin and Franklin Connection. He has nearly 30 years of journalism experience covering news in Eastern Washington.
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