A 38-year-old Tacoma man was arrested Wednesday in Fife after police say he led officers on a series of dangerous pursuits across Seattle and Kent over a six-week span, including allegedly ramming a fire truck, using nitrous oxide while driving, and reversing toward a patrol vehicle.
The man, identified as Zachary McCreary, faces multiple felony charges following his arrest during a lunch break outside his workplace, according to the Kent Police Department.
Police say he had a loaded handgun at the time and did not have a valid concealed pistol license.
McCreary is currently being held on three counts of attempting to elude police, one count of attempted second-degree assault, and reckless driving.
Additional firearm-related charges are being referred to Fife Municipal Court.
The investigation into McCreary began after a series of escalating encounters with law enforcement and emergency responders dating back to mid-June.
- June 18: McCreary reported his silver 2025 Honda Civic as stolen to Seattle police. It was later found crashed and impounded at a West Seattle tow yard.
- June 20: Seattle Police spotted a suspicious white Chevrolet Malibu with no plates parked outside the same tow yard. The vehicle matched one seen near the earlier stolen vehicle report. Police say McCreary, seen standing nearby, jumped in and reversed toward the patrol car, forcing the officer to back up until he was pinned against a fence. McCreary made hand gestures before driving off.
- June 24: Kent officers spotted the same unplated Malibu speeding through traffic on Pacific Highway South. When officers attempted a stop, McCreary allegedly drove off at high speed and drove around spike strips. He was identified by comparing surveillance footage and prior contact information used when reporting his stolen car.
- August 3: McCreary allegedly offered Seattle firefighters a “whippit” (a nitrous oxide canister), then reversed his Honda Accord into their fire engine multiple times before driving away. Officers later spotted the vehicle, now damaged and missing plates, attempting to hit pedestrians and eluding officers in Shoreline by brake-checking them and swerving into oncoming lanes.
On August 6, officers from Kent and Seattle tracked McCreary to his workplace in Fife using phone data and surveillance.
Police say he was arrested outside during his lunch break.
The handgun he allegedly carried at the time of his arrest will lead to a separate charge for carrying without a license.
“This suspect showed a complete disregard for public safety,” Kent police said in a statement. “You may outrun us a time or two, but we communicate and brainstorm with our regional partners. You will just go to jail with more crimes to resolve in the end.”
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