Bellingham Police arrested a man who rammed a police cruiser, then wielded a knife at an officer standing outside the patrol vehicle on Lakeway Drive Saturday afternoon, according to a BPD news release.
John Rupp, 29, of Ferndale, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for attempted second-degree assault, two counts of second-degree malicious mischief and driving under the influence.
At 11:56 a.m., Rupp called 911 saying he was southbound on Interstate 5 near exit 261 and was driving to a police station to attack officers and provoke them to shoot him.
A Bellingham Police officer was investigating a traffic collision near Lakeway Drive and Franklin Street when Rupp intentionally crashed his car into the driver’s side of the officer’s SUV, police said.
The officer was standing on the sidewalk near the SUV when Rupp exited his vehicle, brandishing a knife and shouting at the officer before stabbing the passenger-side tire of the police SUV.
The officer drew her weapon and called for backup at 11:50 a.m., then ordered Rupp to drop his knife and get on the ground. Rupp dropped his knife, refused to obey further instructions and continued shouting at the officer, police said.
Other officers arrived and took Rupp into custody for an interview in which he cooperated with investigators.
