A man rammed two patrol cars at the Walmart in Woodland on Nov. 22 as he attempted to flee the store after the police department responded to a theft in progress report.
In a social media post, the Woodland Police Department stated officers responded to Walmart at around 12:20 p.m.
“Information was a suspect was inside of Walmart shoplifting while a getaway vehicle was parked in the lot waiting,” stated the police department.
Officers attempted to make contact with the driver of a Ford F250, who was identified as 38-year-old John A. Sanders. Sanders reportedly rammed two patrol cars in an attempt to get away, stated the police department.
He was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. Sanders had several outstanding felony warrants out of Oregon, stated the police department. He was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail for first-degree assault, first-degree malicious mischief, a Department of Corrections warrant and as a fugitive from justice.
The second suspect, Larry S. Bixel, 42, was arrested and booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on a fugitive from justice charge because he had an outstanding felony warrant out of Oregon.
Two officers sustained minor injuries during the incident, but the police department stated they were expected to make quick recoveries.
