Scooter Riding Suspect’s Attempt to Elude Fails
Spokane Valley Deputies arrested 21-year-old Austin M. Bailey after he attempted to avoid capture on a 40cc gas-powered scooter. Bailey dumped the scooter and continued to flee on foot but was quickly caught and taken into custody. Bailey was booked on felony warrants for his arrest, as well as new charges.
On May 8, 2018, just prior to 1:00 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Logan Henry observed a male sitting in the dark outside of a closed business located in the 100 block of S. Bowdish. As Deputy Henry drove toward the male, later identified as Bailey, the male jumped onto a motorized scooter and began to flee south on Bowdish.
Deputy Henry activated his emergency lights but Bailey refused to stop. Bailey turned west on the Appleway Trail as additional Deputies responded to the area to assist.
Deputy Wakem responded to University and the Appleway Trail in an attempt get ahead of the suspect. When he arrived in the area, Deputies advised Bailey went south on University and possibly turned west on 4th Avenue. Deputy Wakem turned onto 4th and found Bailey had turned around and was now approaching the patrol vehicle head-on in the westbound lane of travel. When Bailey observed the Deputy’s car, he made a U-turn and continued to try and outrun the patrol vehicle on his scooter.
Deputy Wakem pulled alongside Bailey, with his emergency lights activated, but Bailey continued to make the poor choice to run. Deputy Wakem pulled ahead of the scooter and quickly exited the patrol car in time to see Bailey throw the scooter to the ground and run south across 4th toward a senior center facility and multiple residences. Deputy Wakem told Bailey to stop and gave chase. Bailey stopped, turned back toward the Deputy and raised his hands up to his chest in what appeared to be a fighting stance. Deputy Wakem took Bailey to the ground and, with the assistance of additional Deputies, took Bailey into custody.
After advising Bailey of his rights, Bailey explained he ran because he knew he had warrants for his arrest. A check of Bailey’s name confirmed the arrest warrant(s) for charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and Possessing/Making Motor Theft Tools.
Bailey was provided medical attention prior to being transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for the warrant(s), in addition to new charges of Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle and Obstructing.
The gas-powered scooter, a BladeZ 40cc (advertised maximum speed of 35+ mph), was seized and booked into the property facility as evidence.