BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Two men are starting 2022 behind bars following a wild drug-fueled chase from police in Bellingham.
Court documents state that a WSP officer noticed a car idling in the Fred Meyer parking lot on Bakerview around 1 am December 31st.
The officer noticed two men passed out inside the car, with a bag of fentanyl pills visible on the driver’s lap.
After calling for backup, the officer woke the men up and advised them that they were under investigation.
Once a backup officer arrived, the passenger fled on foot towards Bakerview Road.
The passenger, identified as 33-year-old Gregery Fetsch, slipped on ice as the first officer tried to restrain him.
Fetsch fought back, striking and choking the officer repeatedly until additional officers arrived.
While Fetsch was resisting arrest, the driver, 40-year-old Gary Aardema Jr, sped off.
Officers later found and arrested him at the Super 8 Motel in Ferndale, where he and another person were attempting to dispose of guns, drugs and other incriminating evidence.
Both men are previously convicted felons.