Suspect Fleeing on Foot from a Stolen Car, No Match for K9 Bane
After a short pursuit of a stolen vehicle ended with a PIT maneuver, the male driver, later identified as 35-year-old Daniel K. Gilbert, attempted to flee on foot. Several commands for Gilbert to stop were ignored and Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Clay Hilton sent his partner K9 Bane to stop Gilbert. K9 Bane closed the distance quickly and Gilbert was taken into custody after a short struggle. The female passenger was also arrested for an extraditable Idaho felony warrant.
On March 12, 2018, just prior to 3:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Hilton positioned his patrol car on I-90 near the Hamilton exit after he heard Spokane Police Department (SPD) radio traffic regarding a reported stolen Honda Accord. The information stated the Honda was eastbound on I-90 from Maple St. and accelerating.
Deputy Hilton pulled in behind the Honda and attempted to catch up after it passed his location at a high rate of speed. Deputy Branson Schmidt waited near I-90 and Freya and began to assist once the Honda passed his location.
Once the Deputies caught up to the Honda, they observed a large cloud of smoke and sparks/flames come from underneath the Honda as they activated their emergency lights and siren. Gilbert continued his attempt to flee despite the Honda’s mechanical problems.
Gilbert exited I-90 onto Appleway Ave. with speeds slowing to approximately 40 mph. Near Appleway and Dollar, with low speeds and no other vehicle or pedestrian traffic, Deputy Hilton moved in and executed a PIT maneuver to safely end the pursuit. The Honda began to rotate, spun onto the large raised curb and stopped.
The female passenger, later identified as 28-year-old Kaytlin Comack, placed her hands in the air. Gilbert however, frantically began reaching around. Fearing Gilbert was attempting to grab a weapon or preparing to flee on foot, Deputy Hilton quickly exited his patrol car. Gilbert jumped out and ran northwest from the stolen vehicle. Deputy Hilton yelled, advising Gilbert he was under arrest, to stop and a K9 would be used to apprehend him if he didn’t. Gilbert failed to listen to the commands and continued to run. Deputy Hilton deployed K9 Bane who quickly closed the distance and made contact with Gilbert, who fell to the ground. Gilbert continued to fail to follow commands and began to struggle with K9 Bane as he tried to free himself. After a short struggle, Deputy Hilton took Gilbert into custody with the assistance of arriving SPD Officers.
Deputy Schmidt stayed with the Honda and safely detained Comack without incident. After checking Comack’s information, Deputy Schmidt was advised Comack had an active felony warrant for her arrest out of Benewah County, Idaho.
The Honda was confirmed as a stolen vehicle, reported on March 11, 2018, in Everett, WA.
Gilbert explained he ran because he knew he had a warrant and didn’t want to go to jail. He said he didn’t know who the owner of the vehicle was and he got it from a friend whom he refused to identify.
Gilbert received medical attention for his injuries prior to being transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle and a felony warrant.
Comack was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail as a Fugitive from Justice for the Idaho warrant as she awaits extradition.
