Driver faces DUI, eluding charges after police chases

 EPHRATA – A Quincy man faces multiple criminal charges following his arrest for a series of high-speed police chases in the early morning hours of Sunday, Dec. 28.

Raymundo Villalobos Chavarin, 20, made a preliminary appearance Monday in Grant County Superior Court when he pled not guilty to reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and attempting to elude pursuing police vehicles. Bail was set at $1,000 and he was later released from custody pending trial set for Feb. 19.   

According to court documents and police reports, a Washington State Patrol trooper initially tried stopping Chavarin around 2:25 a.m. while traveling westbound on State Route 28 near Ephrata. The trooper, who was transporting a prisoner at the time, said he discontinued pursuit of a black sports car that accelerated to over 120 mph.

About 20 minutes later, Grant County sheriff’s deputies said they saw a black 2011 Jaguar XF sedan matching the description at the Jackpot gas station in Quincy. A check of the car’s license plate showed it was registered to a silver 2006 Mercedes C-class sedan, the report stated. The driver exited the gas station at a high rate of speed and continued eastbound on SR 28, pulling away from a deputy who said he discontinued his pursuit after reaching a speed of 135 mph and losing visual contact.

Deputies and Quincy police continued searching an area northeast of Quincy where the car was again observed and pursued at over 100 mph southbound on Road O-NW. It failed to stop at the highway intersection, landing heavily after becoming airborne, and showed signs of mechanical failure. The disabled car finally came to a stop just north of Road 7-NW. The driver – identified as Chavarin – and a 19-year-old male passenger exited the vehicle and were detained at gunpoint by a deputy until backup units arrived on scene.

When initially questioned, Chavarin allegedly stated he was having “a difficult week” due to the death of one friend and another friend being sentenced to prison. According to the report, he appeared intoxicated, but denied drinking alcohol and later refused to submit to a blood-alcohol test at the sheriff’s office in Ephrata. A blood draw was taken at Columbia Basin Hospital after deputies obtained a court-issued search warrant.