Whatcom County saw a spree of unrelated violent crime over the weekend including armed robbery, attempted murder and a vehicle collision followed by a getaway, all starting late Friday night, April 22.
Gas station car robbery
Deputies responded to an armed robbery report at a Lynden gas station at around 10:45 p.m. Friday. The victim, who had stopped for gas at the corner of Hannegan and Pole roads, was approached by a woman asking for help to pay for some items. The victim agreed to help but when they approached the woman’s car, she revealed a handgun and demanded the victim’s cellphone and money, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office release. The woman fled the scene, but video surveillance was able to catch an image of the suspect. The video showed a woman in her late 20s to early 30s, wearing black sandals, blue jeans, and a No. 43 Steelers jersey.
Monday afternoon, the Lynden Police Department attempted to stop a black car in the city limits of Lynden. The car fled and the police didn’t pursue. However, the car had headed south on Hannegan Road and because of the traffic, WCSO and LPD were both able to follow the car. Officers followed the car when it turned on Wiser Lake Road toward Guide Meridian. The car attempted to flee again and another responding Lynden officer set up spike strips in an attempt to stop the car. The driver of the car turned into a private driveway to avoid the spike strips but crashed at the end of it. The passenger of the car, 28-year-old Siara Carrazco, Ferndale, was recognized as the suspect in the robbery from the weekend. She confessed to being involved with the robbery and was booked into Whatcom County Jail. The driver, 30-year-old Aaron Nerkins, Ferndale, was also arrested and booked into jail.
Vehicle ramming
Around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, deputies observed a vehicle with no plate traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near Meridian Street at Bellis Fair Parkway. The vehicle was traveling at inconsistent speeds and had trouble remaining in the lane. When deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver exited the freeway, and began to slow down for a stop. Then the driver accelerated and rammed into the passenger side of the patrol vehicle, pushing the car onto the onramp before continuing back onto the freeway. After several more attempts were made to stop the vehicle, deputies were able to perform a PIT maneuver which successfully stopped the vehicle. The driver, 44-year-old Crayton Williams from Bellingham, was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail. Deputies found a .380 auto pistol in William’s car as well as drug paraphernalia and fentanyl which had been partially smoked.
Attempted murder
Deputies responded to a report of a stabbing around 11 p.m. Sunday on the 5000 block of Hannegan Road, Bellingham. The 911 caller was 29-year-old Joshua McDonald, who stabbed the victim multiple times. McDonald, the victim’s full-time caregiver, stated he had a psychotic break that led to the attack. The victim noticed McDonald’s demeanor change after the stabbing when he stated he would call 911. McDonald was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in the first degree and was taken into custody. The victim was treated at the scene and then transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
This story was updated at 3:39 p.m. April 26 with updated information.
