Man arrested after allegedly trying to set off explosive device on I-90

Newly released bodycam video shows the dangerous moments a man allegedly tried to set off an explosive device as police chased him on I-90 in Mercer Island last Saturday.

Bellevue Police Chief Wendell Shirley said the officers put their lives at risk.

“This could explode at any moment and you could be dead,” Shirley said.

According to police, it all started when they found two men sleeping in a stolen car with drugs at Enatai Beach Park.

The police deflated the tires, but the driver drove off anyway.

After the passenger jumped out on the highway, the slow chase was aborted by a pit maneuver by state troopers.

According to police, the driver, identified as 42-year-old Sokphana Soeung, ran away while holding and attempting to detonate an explosive device, which was a taped-up tennis ball with 50 grams of explosive powder inside.

“I was surprised when I saw the video that it didn’t explode. Luckily that wasn’t the case, but it was a very dangerous situation,” Shirley said.

Police said they found two more explosive devices and 50 fentanyl pills.

The chief also acknowledged those who alerted police to the stolen car.

“If you see anything suspicious, call us and let us know because you never know what it might end up being,” Shirley said.

Soeung was arraigned on Wednesday afternoon and is expected to be arraigned later this month.

No case has been registered against the passenger by the police.