LAKE TAPPS, Wash. - Deputies in Pierce County are still searching for a burglary suspect after a deputy-involved shooting on Saturday.
A Pierce County sheriff's deputy shot and killed a man who drove toward the officer while attempting to leave a burglary scene near Lake Tapps, northeast of Tacoma.
The man who died was identified as 23-year-old Ion Ungureanu of Renton.
Deputies responded to a burglary call at a home near Lake Tapps at about 2:30 a.m., but detectives believe the three burglars actually arrived at the victim's house at 2 a.m.
Police say the suspects used a sledgehammer, then a torch to break open a safe. The burglars were likely in the garage at least a half an hour before the homeowner called 911.
That's when two of the suspects tried to speed away, right into the path of an oncoming Pierce County Deputy.
"One of them ran off in the woods, the other two got in the vehicle and tried to drive over the top of one of our deputies. That's when he fired upon the vehicle," said Detective Ed Troyer of Pierce County Sheriff's Dept.
The deputy fired through their windshield, killing the driver and wounding another 25-year-old suspect.
A third man fled on foot and was not captured. Detectives have tentatively identified him. He's believed to have a long criminal history in King County.
The deputy who fired the shots will be placed on paid administrative leave, standard in such situations.
Neighbors say they've been dealing with night-time break-ins for more than a month now.
"Our trailer got broken into last week, a few houses down got broken into last night," said Kerri Wilder. "Cars and houses broken into and it's just been a rash."
"Going into a house with people sleeping, that doesn't make sense," said Catherine, a longtime resident of this community. "It's an awful big price that they're going to pay for what they... steal out of a house."
Detectives said at this point, they do not know if the suspects are connected to the other burglaries, though there is a high likelihood, given the methods described in this case.
