Man Gets Stuck in Blackberry Bushes for 30 Minutes Hiding From Deputies

There are probably better ways to hide from deputies than a thick patch of blackberry bushes.

A Washington man apparently found that out the hard way after he fled into the woods following a reported altercation involving a knife.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said on Sept. 30, around 10:30 p.m., deputies were called to a home after two roommates, a male and female, got into an altercation in which the woman reportedly threatened the other roommate with a knife.

Deputies established probable cause for felony harassment and learned the woman had fled out the back door with the male into a nearby wooded area. The male eventually made his way deep into a thick patch of blackberry bushes.

Not a Great Hiding Spot

PCSO said deputies set up containment around the wooded area while waiting for K9 Clark and his handler to arrive.

In the footage released by the sheriff’s office, deputies can be heard warning the male to come out. They eventually gave him a final warning and told him that K9 Clark would find him and could bite him if he refused to come out.

When K9 Clark arrived, the male announced that he was giving up.

There was just one problem.

He couldn’t get out.

The man had managed to make his way deep into a thick patch of blackberry bushes and was apparently unable to navigate his way back out.

A Rescue

PCSO said deputies spent nearly 30 minutes trying to help the man get out of the thick bushes.

Eventually, fire crews were called to assist with the unusual rescue operation.

While firefighters and deputies worked to get the man out, deputies located the woman involved hiding behind a tree not far from where the male was stuck.

The 38-year-old woman was taken into custody on allegations of felony harassment and vandalism to the home.

Meanwhile, the male remained trapped in the blackberry bushes.

Fire crews eventually placed a long ladder across the top of the bushes, creating a makeshift path that allowed him to safely get out.

At Least He Didn’t Get Bit

In the video released by PCSO, deputies can be heard repeatedly trying to convince the man to come out and warning him that K9 Clark could bite him.

At one point, the man says he is giving up but explains that he is having trouble getting out because of how thick the bushes are.

K9 Clark was never released on the man. After he was rescued from the bushes, deputies determined there was no probable cause to arrest him.

After spending nearly 30 minutes trapped in the bushes, the man eventually walked out with help from deputies and firefighters with his hands up.

The identities of the male and female were not publicly released by PCSO.

The woman was arrested on allegations of felony harassment and vandalism. An arrest or criminal charge is not a finding of guilt, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.