Alleged assault and car pursuit in Friday Harbor | Update

A report of domestic incident on Kanaka Bay Road led to a pursuit on car and foot through Friday Harbor that ended behind the baseball fields on Spring Street Aug. 24.

A report of domestic incident on Kanaka Bay Road led to a pursuit on car and foot through Friday Harbor that ended behind the Spring Street baseball fields Aug. 24.

According to court documents, at approximately 7 p.m., San Juan County dispatch advised the responding officers that a man later identified as Ryan Alan Yocum had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend of more than two years. Yocum, 40, of Seattle has been charged with assault in the second degree, domestic violence and driving under the influence. Bail is set at $250,000.

When interviewed by the police, the victim said on Aug. 24 Yocum began drinking and became physically abusive. She told officers that he began hitting and punching her and made her remove her clothes and started “degrading and taunting her.”

She stated that at 5 p.m. she ran from the cabin that the two were staying at on Kanaka Bay Road, which was owned by a family member, to make a phone call. She said she was able to get a ride into town. She said that Yocum had taken her cell phone and disconnected the landline phone at the cabin. After the call, the woman contacted a cab to return to the cabin and collect her things with the help of the driver. When interviewed, the cab driver told the officer he was “scared for her safety and wanted to make sure she would be alright.” The driver recalled that Yocum told the woman, “You’re dead.”

According to court documents, after retrieving her things, the woman left in the cab. The cab driver attempted to hide his vehicle while calling dispatch, and said that while they were parked, Yocum’s car came up the driveway and stopped near the cab. Yocum then went to his trunk, and fearing that he was retrieving a weapon, the cab driver said he drove until finding a Sheriff patrol car.

While officers spoke with the victim and the cab driver, Yocum’s car came around the corner “at a very high rate of speed.” Two officers pursued Yocum in his black Toyota sedan, apprehending him after he abandoned his vehicle and continued on foot behind the Spring Street baseball fields, headed toward Marguerite Street. The officer’s report said that the woman had visible marks on her face and throat. The woman said that Yocum had choked her with a belt and assaulted her. The woman told officers that Yocum was keeping her at the cabin, and that she was only able to leave once he had passed out.

Yocum has an outstanding federal warrant and will be transferred to the Federal Department of Corrections unit upon completion of his criminal proceedings in San Juan County.

Yocum’s court date is set for Sept. 4.

The Journal originally published a statement from San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs Aug. 25.