The driver of a vehicle that led police on a chase on Oct. 12 allegedly tried to light a tennis ball with 50 grams of explosive powder while Bellevue, Washington, officers were pursuing him on foot.
Sokphana Soeung, 42, was charged Wednesday with second-degree assault, possession of explosive device, possession of incendiary device, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and possession of stolen vehicle. He is being held in King County Jail on $750,000 bail, KING 5 reports.
The incident began with officers responding to a report of a driver and a passenger sleeping a car.
Officers used a PA to order the occupants out of the vehicle, and instead they drove off, police say.
A slow speed vehicle pursuit ensued. The officers used a PIT maneuver to end the vehicle pursuit. The passenger was arrested, police say.
Police say the driver, later identified by officers as Soeung, got out and a short foot pursuit began.
During the foot pursuit Soeung reportedly turned toward the officers with what looked like an improvised explosive device in one hand and a lighter in the other. He attempted to light it, according to probable cause documents. There were seven law enforcement officers in close proximity.
He was arrested before the device could be detonated, officials say.
