Suspect crashes stolen vehicle into house

A man was arrested Monday after he drove a stolen truck into a Camas area home.

At 11:15 a.m., the Washington State Patrol received reports of a Nissan truck being driven recklessly in the eastbound lanes of state Route 14.

The truck, which had been reported stolen Sunday night, was last seen leaving the freeway and taking the 192nd Avenue exit.

Minutes later, the Nissan crashed into the residence at 2725 N.W. 24th Ave., causing significant damage to the house’s exterior. The truck became lodged in the brick entryway. The vehicle’s doors were pinned between the structure, so the driver kicked out the rear window and fled on foot.

Officers from the Camas, Washougal and Vancouver police departments, Clark County Sheriff’s Office and WSP responded to assist. A K-9 unit was used to track the suspect.

Police received reports from neighbors who saw the suspect fleeing through backyards.

The man was discovered hiding beneath a wheelbarrow in the back of a pickup truck in the vicinity of Northwest 23rd Avenue and Iris Court, approximately one mile from the accident scene.

The suspect, who declined to provide officers with his name and was not carrying identification, was taken into custody without further incident. He was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver to be treated for possible injuries sustained during the collision.

He was booked into the Clark County Jail for felony possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as hit and run of unattended property and reckless driving.

CPD Sgt. David Chaney said the owner of the house was inside at the time of the incident.

“Luckily, she was not injured,” he said.

According to Clark County property records, the house is owned by Debra Ann Degenshein.