New audio revealed that a newly passed Democratic law prevented Seattle police officers from pursuing a kidnapper, according to reports.
The kidnapper, Isaac Sissel, called the Seattle Police Department after allegedly taking his girlfriend and her cat hostage last month to warn them they were participating in “an illegal pursuit” and were “not supposed” to chase him.
Alleged Seattle hostage-taker cites Dem law to police: ‘SPD is illegally chasing me’ https://t.co/uNMYBl6vuF
— Fox News (@FoxNews) June 14, 2022
“SPD is illegally chasing me over I don’t know what,” Sissel said to the 911 operator, per the recording obtained by KTTH. “It’s an illegal pursuit… they’re not supposed to be able to chase.”
When the operator asked Sissel to pull over and speak with the officers, he referenced House Bill 1054 as the reason for them being unable to pursue him.
“It is an illegal pursuit and my license is suspended, and this is an illegal pursuit … They’re not supposed to be able to pursue,” the suspect reiterated. “Make sure they stop chasing us.”
While the suspect named “1074” on the call, he was actually referencing House Bill 1054, which restricts how police and law enforcement officers respond to an incident.”
“Law enforcement officers will only be able to engage in a pursuit if there is ‘probable cause’ to arrest a person in the vehicle for committing a specified violent crime or sex offense,” read the legislation. “Law enforcement can no longer pursue after vehicles for any traffic offenses with the exception of Vehicular Assault, Vehicular Homicide, and Driving Under the Influence.”
The law, which took effect on July 25, 2021, also prevents officers from using tear gas, certain defensive tactics, and the use of some equipment.
The suspect and the victim had a longstanding relationship, including episodes of abuse, according to private recordings provided by the girlfriend.
“Officers listened to a recording on [the victim’s] phone recorded on 5/8/22 where Isaac states the following: ‘I’ll stop threatening to kill you if-(recording cuts off)…Your life is not worth more than my car…I would have killed that cat if it were up to me…'” the incident report said.
“[The victim] stated Isaac threatens to kill her approximately 10 times a day. [She] stated Isaac threatens to kill her by shooting her and running her over. [She] stated she was afraid for her life when Isaac made these statements,” it added.
Sissel was previously sentenced for eluding police and criminal mischief with a weapon.
