Chase suspect appears in court

A Vancouver man accused of stealing a pickup and leading police on a chase Sunday through north Clark County made a first appearance in Superior Court on Tuesday morning.

Aaron Michael Smith, 36, faces allegations of theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree theft, first-degree possession of stolen property, attempt to elude police and third-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Smith allegedly stole a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado from a residence in the Sunnyside neighborhood sometime between midnight and 3:50 a.m. on Sunday. The vehicle’s owner, Kenneth Bachmeier, told police he estimated the stolen pickup to be worth $18,000. Bachmeier’s toolbox, GPS device and cellphone were also inside the truck. He estimated their value to be about $2,900.

A sheriff’s deputy responded about 4:15 a.m. to the residence to take the theft report. At about the same time, Battle Ground police spotted what they believed to be the stolen vehicle at a Shell gas station near the intersection of Main Street and state Highway 503.

When Battle Ground police attempted to stop the pickup, the driver sped away. A pursuit followed, but officers lost track of the pickup near Padden Parkway and Interstate 205, court documents said.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m., it was spotted again by other drivers on southbound I-205. The pickup was reportedly traveling as fast as 100 mph, according to the sheriff’s office.

The driver stopped the pickup on the shoulder of I-205 north of the Mill Plain Boulevard exit, and he and a female occupant bailed out, the affidavit says.

Deputies and Vancouver police surrounded the area and apprehended one suspect, identified as Smith.

Information on the female was unavailable Tuesday.

Judge Suzan Clark appointed attorney Mary Arden to represent Smith.

Clark set bail at $25,000 and ordered a no-bail hold on a pending 2013 case.

Smith is scheduled to be arraigned July 10.