K9 Gunnar Locates Wanted Suspect Who Entered a Residence and Fled on Foot
Spokane Valley Deputies with the assistance of K9 Gunnar located and arrested 38 year-old Scott W. Fitzgerald for felony and misdemeanor charges after he violated a No Contact Order and fled on foot. During his attempt to evade arrest, he forced his way into an occupied residence but continued to run when the homeowner began screaming for help. K9 Gunnar and his handler, Deputy Jason Hunt, located Fitzgerald hiding under a vehicle where he was taken into custody.
On September 21, 2017 at approximately 11:50 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a call of a wanted person and possible domestic violence situation at a residence located in the 19000 block of E. 4th Avenue in Spokane Valley.
As Deputies responded to the area, they were advised the suspect, later identified as Fitzgerald, was a passenger of a vehicle near Evergreen and Main. When Fitzgerald heard deputies were responding, he fled from the car on foot. Deputies began searching for Fitzgerald and established a perimeter. They were advised Fitzgerald had active warrants (local Assault 4th Degree DV & Felony Idaho FTA) for his arrest and he was in violation of a No Contact Order when he was at the residence where the call was initiated. Fitzgerald was also known to carry a pocketknife and had been violent in the past.
Deputy Hunt and his partner K9 Gunnar responded and began to track the fleeing suspect. Several K9 warnings were broadcast over the patrol unit’s PA systems informing Fitzgerald a K9 is being used to find him, he could be bitten and citizens should stay in the safety of their homes during the search.
In the 400 block of N. Mamer, Deputies heard a female yelling for help from a residence and quickly responded. The victim advised a unknown male (Fitzgerald) was inside her home but ran away when she started yelling. She pointed toward her back yard advising Deputy Hunt and K9 Gunnar of the direction. Knowing Fitzgerald was desperately trying to evade arrest, they continued their search while making additional K9 announcements. A short distance away, K9 Gunnar located Fitzgerald hiding underneath a parked vehicle. He was ordered to show his hands but initially refused and grabbed Gunnar’s snout. After additional orders to show his hands were given, Fitzgerald complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
Fitzgerald was provided medical treatment before he was transported to the Spokane County Jail. He told Deputy Hunt he heard the K9 announcement prior to Gunnar finding him but he didn’t surrender because he was scared.
Fitzgerald was booked for Residential Burglary, Violation of a Domestic Violence No Contact Order and an Assault 4th Degree DV warrant. He is also being held as a fugitive from justice for the felony warrant from Idaho.
