A local couple delivering a copy of The Courier-Herald experienced a harrowing ordeal in which they were yelled at, shot at and chased from the countryside to the steps of the Enumclaw Police Department.

The couple – who have a motor route – were delivering newspapers shortly after 5 p.m. Jan. 10. Following their normal schedule, they were in the vicinity of 424th Street Southeast and 228th Avenue Southeast when they were suddenly confronted. A pickup blocked their path and a man stepped out, walked to the couple’s Toyota and started hollering.

According to a King County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman, the wife then made the wise decision to flee, easing their vehicle past the pickup and heading out of harm’s way. That’s when they heard a shot and felt a bullet strike their automobile.

Quickly, the pickup gave chase, according to KCSO reports. The driver and a passenger in the pickup, which was adorned with the name of a gutter-cleaning company, followed the them into Enumclaw with headlights flashing.

The couple traveled to the police station and entered the lobby. One of the pickup occupants got out and sat on the concrete steps leading to the station’s front door.

The couple explained their scary encounter and were told to stay put. Since the encounter originated outside the city limits, the case was to be turned over to the sheriff’s department.

Deputies arrived, interviewed all involved and pieced together this story.

The 45-year-old suspect in the case had previously been a victim of identity theft. On the 10th, he had received a phone call from a neighbor, informing him it appeared someone was going through his mailbox. The suspect went out and confronted the couple and, it is alleged, fired a shot into their vehicle.

The rural Enumclaw resident was arrested for first-degree assault, a felony, and the case was investigated by the sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit. It was been forwarded to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.