By Caleb Hutton
FERNDALE — For the second time in less than a year, an Everson-area man has been arrested after leaving his wallet behind at the scene of the crime.
Joseph Hugh Cline, 30, was charged last week with leading police on a 10-mile chase that started with him going 10 mph over the speed limit Jan. 19 in Ferndale.
Police allege they clocked Cline’s car going 35 mph on Main Street. Cline pulled into the parking lot of a nearby McDonald’s, then squealed away just as the officer was exiting his patrol car, according to charging documents.
Officers chased the suspect along back roads: He zipped through stop signs and recklessly passed other cars, according to the charges. At the intersection of Starry and East Smith roads, someone jumped out of the moving car and ran away.
Here’s a map of the chase:
Police found Cline’s wallet wedged beside the driver’s seat, according to the charges. His Nooksack tribal identity card was inside. A woman in the car told police she didn’t know Cline, but she had accepted a ride from him at the Ferndale Haggen. She picked him out of a photo lineup.
Cline was booked into Whatcom County Jail the following afternoon, Jan. 20. He’s charged with attempting to elude police and driving with a license suspended in the first degree.
In February 2012, Cline was a passenger in a car involved in a suspected hit and run in Whatcom County, according to court records. The driver eventually pulled over, but Cline ran out of the car, leaving behind his wallet — along with the same Nooksack ID card — and a small black nylon case containing methamphetamine. More of Cline’s personal property was in the case. He was convicted of conspiracy to possess meth.
Cline has six felonies on his record: harassment, felony assault, violating a no-contact order, taking a motor vehicle without permission, possession of illegal drugs and, for the latest drug crime, conspiracy to possess meth.
Why is this guy out on the roads? He should be in jail serving time for his previous crimes. Defense lawyers really need to stop helping get reduced time or even no time served. Start taking away their licenses when they help their clients avoid punishment that they truly deserve!
Gosh…I’m embarassed FOR this guy….great that he was caught, for sure….but man, six felonies and he still forgets his wallet at the scene…TWICE? MY momma always use to tell me that there’s no such thing as a smart criminal .. This guy seems to be applying to be the poster child for that statement!
News Flash Joseph…when running from the police, take your paraphernalia, wallet and Nooksack ID card WITH YOU!
Jeremy, thats the dumbest thing I ever heard, what do you think is a lawers job is? Everyone one gets the best defence possible in this country, check the constitution.
Every accused suspect is entitled by law to legal representation, and lawyers are required to offer the most effective defense possible. That means that prosecuters must PROVE their case over the opposition of the defense counsel. It’s called an adversarial justice system, where the attorneys battle with the judge mediating to assure they all follow the rules. Then the judge or the jury renders a decsion based on the facts presented.
That said, criminals are generally very stupid or lazy people and typically make it very easy for courts to find them guilty. The penalties are determined by the judges who are elected but still constrained by legal precedents. If you don’t like the sentences, elect different judges who enforce more strictly and choose different senators/representatives to change the laws to require less leniency in judicial sentencing options.
Another mental giant produced by a public school system.
Maybe he was just hopeful someone would steal his ID before the cops got there~! Darn Tribal ID and all its benefits…cant lose that!