K9 Bane’s Been Busy
Spokane Valley Deputy Clay Hilton and his partner K9 Bane have captured two suspects in the last few weeks. One suspect ran on foot after a pursuit and the other suspect fled a domestic violence call and was found hiding in some bushes. These two incidents highlight how effective and versatile K9s are at locating fleeing suspects while keeping our community and deputies safe.
Driver Flees on Foot after Pursuit
On November 10, 2017, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Brandon Cinkovich observed a black Saturn fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign at Havana and 8th. He also observed the vehicle’s license plate was expired in September and was unable to see a trip permit. He attempted to stop the vehicle near 6th and Custer. The driver, later identified as 42-year-old Caleb S. Bestrom, initially slowed but suddenly and rapidly accelerated in a clear attempt to flee west on 4th.
With wet roadways and speeds ranging from 50-70 mph, the on-duty Sergeant terminated the pursuit. Deputy Cinkovich lowered his speed and shut his lights and siren off. In the area of the curves at Eastern and 4th, he observed the Saturn driving toward him in his lane of travel at a high rate of speed. Fearing he could be hurt or killed by a violent crash, Deputy Cinkovich immediately took evasive action as Bestrom swerved, narrowly avoiding a crash (Assault 2nd Degree-felony).
With Bestrom’s reckless driving, which almost caused a severe collision, Deputy Cinkovich reengaged and began to pursue Bestrom. Bestrom turned into a dirt field near Howe and 4th and shut his lights off. Deputy Cinkovich lost sight of the vehicle but relocated it driving north on Howe. Bestrom turned east on 4th as Deputy Hilton and Deputy Kullman pulled in behind him. Bestrom attempted to negotiate a turn onto Eastern but overshot the corner and drove off the road onto the northwest shoulder. As he accelerated and tried to drive back onto 4th, Deputy Hilton moved into position to conduct a PIT maneuver and safely end the pursuit. Even though Bestrom tried to accelerate and drive clear, the PIT was successful and caused Bestrom’s vehicle to slide off the south shoulder of the road and over an embankment.
Bestrom quickly exited the vehicle and began to flee on foot in complete disregard of Deputy Hilton’s commands to stop, he was under arrest and needed to surrender. As Bestrom ran, Deputy Hilton removed K9 Bane from the back of his patrol car. K9 Bane focused on Bestrom while Deputy Hilton gave a warning K9 Bane would be used if Bestrom didn’t surrender. Bestrom ignored the command to stop and kept running. K9 Bane was released and quickly closed the distance, making contact with Bestrom’s shoulder, and knocking him to the ground. K9 Bane quickly took control of Bestrom’s arm and held him until Deputy Kullman and Deputy Wallace took him into custody.
Bestrom refused to answer questions and was provided medical attention due to the K9 contact. After he was cleared, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Assault 2nd Degree and Resisting Arrest.
No citizens or Deputies were injured during this incident.
Domestic Violence Suspect’s Attempt to Hide Foiled by Bane
On November 5, 2017 at approximately 7:35 p.m., Deputy Hilton and K9 Bane responded to the 13300 block of W. 13th to assist Airway Height’s Officers locate 37-year-old Shad J. Miller. Miller had been involved in a domestic violence incident and was sought for charges of Assault (DV) and felony Violation of a No Contact Order. Miller had fled on foot from the victim’s residence and could not be located.
After several announcements advising Miller to give up or a K9 would be used to find him and he could be bitten, Deputy Hilton, with the assistance of Deputy Brad Humphrey, began tracking Miller with K9 Bane who quickly locked in on the scent trail.
Several more announcements were made as K9 Bane led the deputies toward the Airway Heights Library. Deputy Hilton gave another K9 warning which went unanswered. K9 Bane tracked to some bushes and entered between the wall and the bushes. Immediately, Miller began yelling once he was located by Bane. Deputy Humphrey took Miller into custody as Deputy Hilton took control of K9 Bane.
Miller was provided medical attention before being released to an Airway Heights Police Officer. Miller was booked for felony Violation of a No Contact Order and an unrelated DUI warrant.
Miller said he fell asleep in the bushes after he fled and didn’t hear the K9 announcements, or the sirens of the arriving first responders.
