Walter Dyches had already built a well-documented relationship with law enforcement before encountering Enumclaw police the evening of Sept. 1.

With more than 90 arrest warrants to his dubious criminal history, that’s the night he chose to fly through Enumclaw at nearly double the posted speed limit. The outcome was predictable, as Dyches was stopped following a brief chase, was taken to the King County jail and is slated for arraignment.

Here’s how everything played out, according to King County Superior Court documents, which include a written report by the Enumclaw Police Department.

It was about 11:40 p.m. on a Tuesday night when EPD Officer Kim-Xuan Brewer was monitoring traffic in the vicinity of 284th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 451st Street. He noticed a vehicle heading north on 284th, apparently speeding; radar confirmed his belief, showing the vehicle to be zipping past at 66 miles per hour where the posted speed limit is 35.

Brewer quickly followed and watched as the vehicle approach the intersection of 284th and state Route 410. The driver, later identified as the 67-year-old Dyches, reportedly tapped his brakes a few times and then accelerated through a red light.

Brewer alerted dispatchers that he was pursuing a fleeing vehicle toward downtown Enumclaw. Approaching the intersection of SR 410 and Griffin Avenue, the fleeing vehicle slowed as it straddled two lanes of traffic and then quickly turned onto Griffin.

That’s where the chase ended. Enumclaw Officer Steve Howerton was waiting, using his police car to block both lanes of Griffin Avenue. Dyches came to a stop but – despite orders from Howerton to show his hands and step from his vehicle – he initially refused. According to the EPD’s written report, Dyches was told four times to exit his car before finally complying.

At that point the Tacoma resident was handcuffed and placed in the rear seat of Brewer’s police vehicle. Dyches listened as Brewer explained his Miranda rights and refused to answer questions. The suspect was first held in the Enumclaw jail and then transported at 2:50 a.m. to the county facility.

Dyches was cited by the EPD for speeding and running a red light while the more serious offense – attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle – is being charged through King County Superior Court.

The county prosecutor’s office requested bail be set at $25,000 while describing Dyches as a flight risk. The judge set bail at $5,000 and Dyches was released after posting bond.

The prosecutor’s office had detailed the suspect’s lengthy criminal history, specifically noting: “The defendant has had about ninety-three warrants issued since 1990, seven of which were issued in 2018.”

The prosecutor detailed Dyches’ convictions for attempting to elude (2018); first-degree criminal trespass/domestic violence (2016); first-degree criminal trespass (1996); assault and felony harassment (2018); attempting to elude and DUI (2013); violating an order for an ignition interlock device (twice in 2017); hit-and-run (2017); second-degree assault (2012); driving under the influence (1993 and 2013); negligent driving, which was reduced from DUI (2000); violation of a protection order/domestic violence (2015, 2016 and 2017); harassment/domestic violence (2017); harassment (2018); resisting (1990); third-degree theft (1992) and fourth-degree assault (1996). Additionally, Dyches was convicted 22 times for various degrees of driving with a suspended license.

Dyches’ arraignment is set for 9 a.m. tomorrow (Sept. 17) at the Regional Justice Center in Kent.