Air 1 Video: Wanted 7-Time Convicted Felon Runs on Foot after Pursuit
Late Saturday evening, a wanted 7-time convicted felon was captured after he fled in a vehicle, and later on foot, following a traffic stop initiated by Deputy Tyler Kullman who was accompanied by his partner K9 Khan. Air 1 located the suspect as he jumped fences running between residences as K9 Khan led Deputy Kullman and Deputy Booth to his location. The suspect was charged with multiple felonies to include Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.
On July 21, 2018, at approximately 10:40 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Kullman stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation near Havana and Sprague. Deputy Kullman observed the passenger of the vehicle dump a drink outside the passenger’s side window as the male driver, later identified as 33-year-old Ricardo E. Sanchez reached down under his seat. Due to these furtive movements, Deputy Kullman waited at his patrol car and told Sanchez to place his hands on the steering wheel. Instead of complying with the command, Sanchez immediately put the vehicle in gear and sped away.
With little traffic on the roadway, Deputy Kullman jumped back in his patrol car and advised dispatch he was now in pursuit of the vehicle. Sanchez recklessly tried to evade the pursuing patrol car with its activated emergency lights and siren. Deputy Kullman requested the assistance of Spokane Police Officers as Sanchez continued to flee. Traveling west on Mission from Napa, Sanchez drove into the oncoming lanes travel for approximately two blocks in complete and utter disregard for his or anyone else’s safety in the area.
Preparing to terminate the pursuit due to safety concerns and Air 1 advising they were close to being overhead, Deputy Kullman observed Sanchez swerve back into the appropriate lanes of travel. At Columbus Avenue, Sanchez turned north and hit the curb, flattening his driver’s side front tire.
Sanchez stopped in the middle of the road and bailed out of the car and ran on foot. Deputy Kullman addressed the adult female passenger who stayed in the vehicle. He was unable to send K9 Khan to apprehend Sanchez due to residents in the area exiting their homes to see what was happening.
SPD Corporal Fuller arrived at the scene and assisted in detaining the passenger while a perimeter was established and Air 1 began to orbit the scene from above.
Deputy Kullman and K9 Khan started a track to locate Sanchez and was soon joined by Deputy Nathan Booth. From overhead, Air 1 picked up Sanchez using the FLIRR camera as he jumped fences and ran through yards. With Air 1 above providing Sanchez’s location, he appeared to stay next to homes, buildings and under large trees to try and hide as K9 Khan continued to lead Deputies toward his location.
Once Sanchez was confronted by K9 Khan, Deputy Kullman and Deputy Booth, he complied with commands and was taken into custody. During a search after Sanchez’s arrest, a white crystal substance was located in a black bag attached to his belt. A test of the substance showed a presumptive positive result for Methamphetamine.
Seeing ammunition in the vehicle and what appeared to be a handgun, the vehicle was impounded for evidence.
After being advised of his rights, Sanchez admitted to trying to evade Deputy Kullman, stating he was aware he put everyone’s lives in danger, he just didn’t want to go back to jail. Sanchez would not admit to having knowledge of the handgun unless there was a “deal” being offered. Sanchez, a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing firearms.
The passenger said she told Sanchez to stop and let her out of the vehicle but he wouldn’t. She was released at the scene, without charges.
After a search warrant was obtained by Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detective Jeff Thurman.
Inside the vehicle a loaded Sig Sauer Mosquito .22 caliber pistol was located under the driver’s seat. Also located in side: two boxes of .22 caliber ammunition, additional Methamphetamine, scales and other drug paraphernalia. The pistol was reported stolen in Montana, May of 2017.
Sanchez was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Unlawful Imprisonment, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and a valid Washington State Department of Corrections felony warrant where he currently has a bond set at $100,000.
Sanchez also faces misdemeanor charges of Drive While Suspended and Obstructing.
Air 1 Flight Crew: Volunteer Pilot Rob Jones, Tactical Flight Officers (TFOs) Detective Jeff Thurman and Spokane Police Officer Greg Thompson.