Bail set for Port Angeles man who climbed tree to escape law enforcement

PORT ANGELES — Bail was set Thursday at $35,000 for Damon L. Foust, a 36-year-old Port Angeles man who was found hiding in a tree by a police dog after a Wednesday morning chase.

Foust appeared in Judge George Wood’s courtroom for the bail hearing.

He is scheduled to return to court Friday, Oct. 21, for a review hearing.

Foust is charged with attempting to elude a police vehicle, obstructing a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

The chase, which began after a Port Angeles police officer tried to pull over Foust for investigation of speeding in a school zone near Jefferson Elementary School, led police into Olympic National Park and resulted in a search that involved several law enforcement agencies.

When the truck hit boulders at a dead end on old Mount Angeles Road, Foust and his passenger, Katherine L. Roberts, 30, also of Port Angeles, abandoned the truck and ran into the forest, police said.

Foust was tracked to a tree by Port Angeles police dog Jag, and Roberts was found a half-hour later, police said.

Drugs found

When the vehicle was searched, officers found baggies with white powder and green leafy materials, which field kit tests indicated were methamphetamine and marijuana, Officer Sky Sexton said in a sworn statement.

The baggies were found in a backpack that also contained a card addressed to Foust and a picture of him, Sexton said.

Foust was taken into custody on a felony bench warrant, two pay-or-appear warrants and for investigation of eluding a police vehicle, obstructing a law enforcement officer, possess­ion of a controlled substance and possession of 40 grams or less of marijuana.

Roberts’ bail was set at $750.

She had an outstanding pay-or-appear warrant and was booked into Clallam County jail for investigation of eluding a police vehicle and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

________

Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.

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