Capture of suspect near I-5 ends peacefully

Howard Whipple of Ridgefield was arrested Friday July 3, 2009 after a police pursuit along I-5 at Ridgefield exit 14. Whipple was suicidal and threatened a loved one in a domestic violence case, which later led to the police chase. (Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian)

Howard Whipple of Ridgefield was arrested Friday July 3, 2009 after a police pursuit along I-5 at Ridgefield exit 14. Whipple was suicidal and threatened a loved one in a domestic violence case, which later led to the police chase. (The Columbian, Troy Wayrynen)

Howard Whipple of Ridgefield was arrested Friday July 3, 2009 after a police pursuit along I-5 at Ridgefield exit 14. Whipple was suicidal and threatened a loved one in a domestic violence case, which later led to the police chase. (The Columbian, Troy Wayrynen)

Clark County deputy Justin Messman walks up close off ramp 14 from I-5 during a police chase. Howard Whipple of Ridgefield was arrested Friday July 3, 2009 after a police pursuit along I-5 at Ridgefield exit 14. Whipple was suicidal and threatened a loved one in a domestic violence case, which later led to the police chase. (The Columbian, Troy Wayrynen)

A Clark County deputy uses a fire fighter's ladder truck to gain a higher sniper position on a police chase. Howard Whipple of Ridgefield was arrested Friday July 3, 2009 after a police pursuit along I-5 at Ridgefield exit 14. Whipple was suicidal and threatened a loved one in a domestic violence case, which later led to the police chase. (The Columbian, Troy Wayrynen)

The chase of a domestic violence suspect backed up traffic on Interstate 5 near Ridgefield Friday, when the man wandered onto a freeway offramp.

After police set up a perimeter and unleashed a tracking dog, Howard F. Whipple, 75, surrendered and was taken into custody on suspicion of felony harassment of his wife and first-degree attempted arson of their Ridgefield home, said Clark County sheriff's Sgt. Scott Schanaker.

Meanwhile, both northbound and southbound lanes of I-5 were shutdown for 15 minutes, causing a four-mile backup. Police were concerned Whipple might flee across lanes of traffic as they pursued him. The freeway reopened just before noon.

The incident started at 9 a.m. Friday, when deputies arrived at Whipple's home at 2221 N.W. 289th St. to question him about a domestic disturbance the night before. Whipple had allegedly made death threats against his wife and threatened to burn their house down. He was seen carrying a bucket of gasoline into the home, Schanaker said.

As deputies arrived the following morning, Whipple left through a back door and drover toward I-5. He ditched his car and was spotted walking through a field near the southbound offramp at Pioneer Street. When deputies approached, he hid in a large brushy area, according to a sheriff's office bulletin.

Whipple is known to have dementia, Schanaker said.

For two hours, officers with the sheriff's office, Ridgefield Police Department and the Washington State Patrol contained the area. At 1 p.m., Whipple was apprehended.
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2:22 p.m. update: The suspect has been identified as Howard F. Whipple, 75, of Ridgefield.

1:45 p.m. update: The man has surrendered to police, initial reports indicate.

1:00 p.m. update: Radio traffic indicated around 1 p.m. that they may have located the man. They have been using equipment to search the area from above.


12:30 p.m. update: Police are still trying to locate the man with the help of K-9 units near the Exit 14 off ramp, but some of the previous traffic closures have been removed.

Traffic was closed on on I-5 for 15 minutes and a four-mile backup ensued. All lanes are again open, as is the northbound off ramp at exit 14, but the southbound exit of I-5 is closed at that location.

The man is not believed to be armed, but his whereabouts are not known.
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Original report: An Interstate 5 offramp near Ridgefield has been shut down as police attempt to detain a suspect.

Deputies are pursuing a man known to have dementia who is walking along Exit 14, according to Clark County Sgt. Scott Schanaker. He was suspected of making threats to his wife, and left his home as deputies attempted to question him.


Details remain sketchy and further information will be released as it is made available.