BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Two men have been arrested in connection to separate, but almost identical, drugged driving incidents.
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy said that the first incident was reported in the parking lot of the Haggen on Woburn St around 9:30 Tuesday night, May 24th.
Officers found the driver, 32-year-old Sean Gilmore, slumped over the wheel, and they could see evidence of fentanyl use through the windows.
Patrol cars were positioned around Gilmore’s car so that he couldn’t drive away, but when he woke up, he still attempted to drive off.
He was taken into custody after trying to flee on foot.
Then around 1 p.m. Thursday, May 25th, officers were called to a nearly identical incident in the WECU parking lot on Birchwood Ave.
23-year-old Joshua Abitia was arrested after being tazed by officers.
In each case, the drivers damaged patrol cars and had outstanding warrants for recent vehicle thefts.