Whatcom County sees lots of weekend criminal activity, attempted murder

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reported several incidents of violent crime over the April 22-24 weekend.

Friday

Around 10:45 p.m. April 22, WCSO deputies responded to a possible Maple Falls strong-arm robbery with a handgun where a vehicle was stolen. The victim was not cooperating or providing identifiable vehicle information. Deputies contacted multiple neighbors but were unable to make any arrests.

Around the same time, WCSO deputies responded to a robbery report at the gas station at Hannegan and Pole roads. A woman, later identified as 28-year-old Ferndale resident Siara Carrazco, asked a man stopping for gas to pay for items, to which he agreed. When he returned with the items, Carrazco brandished a handgun and demanded the subject’s cell phone and money. Carrazco fled after receiving the items.

On April 26, after a vehicle pursuit by Lynden police, Carrazco was arrested and confessed to being involved in the April 22 robbery. The vehicle’s driver, 30-year-old Ferndale resident Aaron Nerkins, was also booked into Whatcom County Jail.

Saturday

Around 1 a.m. April 23, deputies responded to a report of vehicle theft in the 2300 block of Nulle Road in Bellingham. A suspect broke into a residence and stole items, including a vehicle from the garage. The homeowners were upstairs sleeping. While deputies were en route to the call, Bellingham Police Department (BPD) located the stolen car in south Bellingham and attempted to stop it. It fled at a high speed and officers could not pursue the vehicle because of state law. The investigation continues.

Sunday

Around 1:30 a.m. April 24, deputies observed a pickup without plates traveling southbound on I-5 near Bellis Fair Parkway. The vehicle was traveling up to 50 mph, weaving and had multiple equipment violations. When deputies attempted to pull over the vehicle, the driver exited I-5 and slowed down as if he intended to stop. Instead, the driver accelerated and rammed the patrol vehicle’s front passenger side, pushing it down the onramp as the man continued onto I-5.

Deputies followed the driver, later identified as 44-year-old Crayton Williams of Bellingham. Williams drove northbound in the southbound lanes of I-5. Williams’ rear side tire came off the rim because of police intervention. Williams’ vehicle sparked as he accelerated. Deputies stopped the vehicle through a second intervention. Williams ignored commands to exit the vehicle and was observed reaching by his seat.

Deputies deployed a pepper powder projectile into the vehicle. Williams exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Deputies observed a .380 automatic pistol on the floor between the door and driver’s seat. Deputies found foils, glass pipes and torches, which are used for narcotics. In the truck bed, deputies found a stolen motorcycle. Deputies also observed an altered vehicle trip permit. With a search warrant, deputies found a partially smoked fentanyl pill.

Williams was booked into Whatcom County Jail with the following charges: Driving under the influence, first-degree assault, attempting to elude a police vehicle, unlawful firearm possession, stolen vehicle possession, fentanyl possession, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, third-degree driving with a suspended license, and vehicle trip permit violation.

Williams was out on bail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and failure to register as a sex offender from 2021.

Around 11 p.m. April 24, deputies responded to the 5000 block of Hannegan Road for a report of a stabbing. The reporting person was 29-year-old Joshua McDonald, of Bellingham, who stated he had a psychotic breakdown and stabbed the victim multiple times. McDonald worked as the victim’s full-time caregiver. The victim witnessed McDonald’s demeanor change after the assault when he stated he would call 911.

McDonald was booked into Whatcom County Jail for first-degree attempted murder. The victim was medically treated at the scene and transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.