Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers said officers were investigating an interrupted burglary at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday when employees at City Hall reported a man out front with a knife.

“The man arrived in a white car and pulled up onto the sidewalk at the corner in front of the flag pole and bell at City Hall. He exited the vehicle, opened both car doors and turned up the radio volume very loud,” said Myers. “The suspect, a 39-year-old Elma man, was then observed on the front grass of City Hall throwing a double-bladed knife into the ground.”

The suspect is well known to law enforcement and has an extensive history of drug abuse and mental illness, said Myers.

Animal Control/Parking Officer Tom Taylor happened upon the car on the sidewalk before the call was dispatched. He requested back-up as the call was being dispatched to other officers.

Hoquiam officers responded to the scene. The suspect dropped the knife and surrendered without incident, said Myers. The knife was secured at the scene by Taylor.

“The suspect explained he was only attempting to cut down the flag to provide it to the family of Officer High,” said Myers.

Phil High is the Hoquiam Police officer who died by suicide Jan. 14. His memorial service is in Ocean Shores Saturday at the convention center at 1 p.m.

“During the course of the investigation, Aberdeen Police advised they had probable cause for the suspect for earlier attempting to cut down the American flag at the Aberdeen Post Office.”

The suspect was transported to Aberdeen where he was taken into custody on the Aberdeen charges. The suspect will likely be evaluated by a mental health professional while in custody in Aberdeen.

The vehicle was released to the owner at the scene after she was cited for allowing the vehicle to be unlawfully operated by the suspect as he does not have a valid driver’s license. The suspect will be submitted for charges to the Hoquiam City Attorney for unlawful display of a knife.