A suspect was taken into custody on Thursday evening after allegedly stealing a Washington State Patrol vehicle and leading officers on a pursuit along Interstate 5, authorities said.

The incident began around noon near Northgate in Seattle, when a Washington State Patrol lieutenant encountered a man walking across the northbound lanes of I-5. The man allegedly pushed the trooper to the ground, climbed into her marked patrol car and drove off, according to the Washington State Patrol.

Troopers and other law enforcement units initiated a pursuit of the stolen vehicle as it travelled northbound on I-5. The chase ended near Lynnwood on the southbound section of the interstate, where a trooper used a precision immobilisation technique known as a PIT manoeuvre to bring the patrol car to a stop.

The suspect was arrested at the scene without further incident.

Officials reported that no serious injuries were sustained by the trooper or others during the confrontation, though the patrol car suffered damage.

The Washington State Patrol posted about the episode on social media, noting the unusual nature of the theft and the successful resolution of the pursuit.

The lieutenant involved was not reprimanded and was reported to be unharmed.

Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s identity or potential charges as the investigation continues.