A domestic violence suspect who climbed a tree to avoid arrest early Thursday finally came down hours later after firefighters sprayed him with water, authorities said.
The incident began at about 4:30 a.m. in the 800 block of 13th Street when a woman called 911 to report that her ex-boyfriend had just broken into her home, assaulted her, and fled the residence, said Shari Ireton of the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies responded to the scene. The suspect, later identified as a 35-year-old Snohomish man, returned to the home while law enforcement personnel were still there. When they confronted the suspect, he eluded them and climbed a large tree on the property, Ireton said.
After about seven hours of unsuccessful efforts to talk the man down from the tree, firefighters with Fire District 4 assisted deputies by spraying the suspect with water. Soon afterward, the man asked for help in getting down from the tree.
The suspect was taken to Providence Regional Medical Center for treatment of possible hypothermia. He is expected to booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of 2nd-degree domestic violence assault.