A high-speed Monroe police chase turned a foggy Washington night into a chaotic scene. On January 15, 2025, local officers arrested 20-year-old Braydon Michael Gwyn.
The incident started with a simple suspended license check.
It ended with a dramatic high-risk traffic stop in a residential driveway.
Table of Contents
Watch: high-speed Monroe police chase Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:02:05:10 where the situation escalates as the officer commands, “Occupants in the Dodge. Come out with your hands up and empty.”
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
Officer Hearne was on routine patrol near the Red Barn Shell gas station on State Route 2.
He spotted a dark 2006 Dodge Magnum idling near the exit.
A quick license plate check revealed the registered owner, Gwyn, had a suspended driver’s license in the third degree.
Officer Hearne checked the Department of Licensing photo and confirmed it matched the driver.
He turned his unmarked patrol car around to follow the Dodge.
Suddenly, the vehicle accelerated and took a right turn onto Oak Street at a high rate of speed.
The officer activated his emergency red and blue lights to initiate a traffic stop.
Instead of pulling over, the driver sped up to 65 MPH in a posted 25 MPH zone.
The fleeing car blew past a stop sign at Oak Street and Old Owen Road.
It then hit speeds of 70 MPH in a 25 MPH zone, initiating a high-speed Monroe police chase.
Eventually, the vehicle slowed down on Calhoun Road.
It pulled into a driveway next to a manufactured home.
Other officers quickly arrived to perform a high-risk traffic stop.
Officers deployed a ballistic shield to safely approach and clear the vehicle.
The driver was ordered out with his hands up, walked backward toward the police, and was placed in handcuffs.
While on the scene, officers spoke with the suspect’s brother, Sejad Khalid Aledani, and his mother on FaceTime.
His mother noted her son had a lot of pride and refused to stop driving despite his suspended license.
The Arrest: Charges Against Braydon Gwyn
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| DWLS 3 | Driving While License Suspended 3rd Degree | Misdemeanor |
| ATTEMPT TO ELUDE | Attempting to Elude a Police Officer | Felony C |
Legal Analysis: Was the Stop Justified?
- Fourth Amendment Check: The initial pursuit was legally justified. Officer Hearne ran the vehicle’s plates and found the registered owner had a suspended license. He also visually matched the driver to the owner’s license photo before attempting the stop.
- Police Protocol: Officers followed standard high-risk stop procedures. They utilized a contact team with a ballistic shield to clear the vehicle. The suspect was also properly read his Miranda rights from a department-issued card.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 FAQs that are connected to the charges (Attempt to Elude and DWLS 3) and the events in the police report
What technology do police use to track fleeing vehicles without engaging in high-speed chases?
When a suspect attempts to elude police, officers may use technology like “StarChase” to avoid dangerous pursuits. This is an external GPS tracking device that can be deployed onto a fleeing suspect’s car, allowing dispatch and officers to track the vehicle’s location safely from a distance.
Why do officers use ballistic shields and order suspects to walk backward during certain traffic stops?
When a driver flees and is finally cornered, police upgrade the situation to a “high-risk vehicle stop”. Because the occupants’ intentions are unknown after running from the law, officers use ballistic shields for cover and command suspects to exit with their hands up and walk backward to ensure no weapons are drawn before making the arrest.
If a fleeing suspect parks in a family member’s driveway, can the residents be investigated?
Yes, indirectly. If a suspect ends an evasion at a private residence, police must secure the entire scene. Residents who come outside (like a brother or roommate) will be instructed to step back or stay inside until the vehicle is completely cleared. Officers will also question the residents to establish who owns the vehicle, how long the suspect has lived there, and if they have any knowledge of the suspect’s legal issues.
How can family members find out why their relative was suddenly arrested?
If a relative is arrested and invokes their right to remain silent, they might not explain the situation to their family. Family members can contact the local county jail (such as the Snohomish County Jail) where the suspect was booked to find out the specific charges and bail status.
Are police bodycam videos and arrest reports considered public records?
Yes, in many jurisdictions, including Washington State, these incidents are public record. Family members, journalists, or the general public can file public records requests to obtain copies of incident reports and bodycam footage to understand exactly how the events and the arrest unfolded.
Conclusion & Current Status
After the scene was secured, the suspect invoked his right to remain silent.
Officer Hearne transported Gwyn to the Snohomish County Jail.
He was booked on charges of DWLS 3rd Degree and Attempt to Elude a Police Officer.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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