SEQUIM – A 34-year-old Port Angeles man is in custody after leading police on a destructive chase through Sequim in early hours of Sunday morning.

It was just after midnight when police got a call from a woman living in the 400 block of Cedar Street saying Darryl Svec had stolen her phone and her Jeep Wrangler.

Police quickly spotted the Jeep on Washington and hit their lights, but the vehicle didn’t stop and continued eastbound. Police say the driver turned into an alley between Washington and bell Streets, took out a power pole, shearing it off at the ground, and continued westbound. A moment later he smashed into a parked car, then a garbage can, and kept going, throwing sparks as he went because the can was stuck under the Jeep.

The vehicle stopped around Third and Bell, where Svec jumped out and fled on foot. With the officer in pursuit, also on foot, Svec ran into a dead end, turned, and met the officer head on.

Despite the officer’s best effort, Svec, who is 6’6” and 220, fought him off and disappeared on foot.

A short time later, a man who lives on Maple Street told police that someone appeared to be hiding in his back yard.

The officer and two Sheriff’s deputies located Svec, took him down to the ground and arrested him. But not without a fight.

After some medical attention and a breathalyzer test, which he failed, Svec was booked into jail on tentative counts of robbery, hit and run, malicious mischief, DUI, assault and resisting arrest.

The Prosecutor’s Office told KONP that formal charges are expected by Wednesday.