Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force
Wanted Convicted Felon in Possession of a Loaded Handgun & Heroin, Arrested
Last night, a Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force emphasis patrol led to the arrest of a wanted convicted felon. The suspect, arrested due to a confirmed California felony warrant, was also found to be in possession of a loaded handgun and a small amount of heroin.
On January 30, 2020, at approximately 8:45 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Wallace, patrolling in the area of N. Pittsburg and E. Wabash as part of a Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force emphasis patrol, observed a male riding a bicycle in the wrong lane of travel.
Deputy Wallace noted the bike was not equipped with lights or reflectors as required by law and contacted the rider, identified as 24-year-old Brandon A. Wood, with the assistance of Detective Palmer and Agent Nations.
A check of Wood’s name revealed a confirmed warrant out of California with nationwide extradition. Wood was informed of the warrant and told he was under arrest as a Fugitive from Justice.
While controlling Wood’s hands to apply handcuffs, Wood stated he had a pistol in his front pocket. The firearm, loaded with two loaded cartridges, was safely seized.
During a subsequent search, a small clear plastic bag containing a brown tar-like substance, believed to be heroin, was located in the same front pocket. Later, a field test of the substance showed a presumptive positive result for Heroin.
After being advised of his rights, Wood stated he was a convicted felon, and he got the handgun from a “friend’ who he refused to identify. He explained he carries the pistol for protection and that he had been shot at a few months ago in Tacoma. He was armed with the pistol at the time but would not say if he fired back. He further stated he was, “actually a pretty damn good shot”.
Wood’s criminal history showed a felony conviction in California for Possession/Purchase for Sale Narcotic/Controlled Substance. In Washington, he had felony convictions for Identity Theft 2nd Degree and Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree.
Wood was transported and booked as a Fugitive from Justice and for new charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree and Possession of a Control Substance-Heroin.
The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Corrections, US Border Patrol, and the FBI. The SRSSTF is an FBI sponsored task force working to alleviate the criminal activities of gangs, violent criminals, and upper-level drug traffickers.
