Search for Wanted Suspect Leads to Stolen Vehicle & Arrests
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, attempting to locate a wanted suspect, ended up recovering a reported stolen vehicle instead and arresting two of the four occupants for warrants and new charges. The original wanted suspect being sought was not located.
On April 16, 2018, at approximately 5:50 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Garrett Spencer, attempting to locate a wanted suspect believed to be in the area of the 4600 block of S. Cheatham Rd., observed a red Toyota Tercel with a inoperative headlight traveling on Cheatham.
Deputy Spencer, assisted by Deputy Lorenz Mina, caught up to the vehicle as it pulled into the driveway of a residence known for criminal activity. After informing Dispatch of the vehicle license plate and their location, Dispatch advised the vehicle had been reported stolen. The driver traveled through a gate, up the driveway, and initially did not stop for Deputy Spencer’s emergency lights but yielded when Deputy Spencer activated his siren. With the vehicle reported as stolen, all four occupants were individually called out of the vehicle and detained.
The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Marshall L. Fields, waived his rights and agreed to answer questions. Marshall stated he purchased the vehicle a day ago from a female for $400. He was not able to provide a bill of sale and a key which appeared to be “shaved” (shaved keys are commonly used to defeat ignition locks during vehicle thefts) was found in the ignition. The vehicle was reported stolen from a residence in Spokane on April 13, 2018. A check of Marshall’s name showed multiple active warrants for his arrest.
The front passenger, identified as 49-year-old John P. Liberty, waived his rights and agreed to answer questions. Liberty stated he was only getting a ride from Marshall and did not know the vehicle was stolen. During a frisk for weapons when Liberty was detained, Deputy Mina located a set of metal knuckles (brass knuckles) and two double-edged blades connected by a chain. Liberty stated he wasn’t aware metal knuckles were illegal to possess. When asked about the chained knives/blades, he said they were “nunchucks” and he had them because they were scary to people. A check of Liberty’s name revealed an active bench warrant for his arrest.
During a search of the vehicle, Deputies located a punch tool, a pry bar and other tools commonly used in vehicle thefts and prowlings. They also located a reported stolen Washington state driver’s license.
The two additional passengers were released at the scene and were not charged.
Marshall and Liberty were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail. During his intake search, a small baggie containing a white crystalline substance was found in Marshall’s pocket by a Corrections Officer. The substance was field tested and showed a presumptive positive result for Methamphetamine.
Marshall was charged with Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of Another’s Identification, Making/Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools and his warrants for Theft and three counts of Trespassing 1st Degree.
Liberty was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and his bench warrant.