This incident began on September 9, 2016 at approximately 11:40 p.m., when Liberty Lake Police Officer Jeffrey Jones observed an older silver Ford Mustang driving at a high rate of speed in the area of the 22100 block of E. Country Vista Drive.
Officer Jones’ radar showed the Mustang was traveling at 80 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. Officer Jones turned around to stop the vehicle and activated his emergency lights, but the Mustang continued at a high rate of speed, failing to stop for the red light at Liberty Lake Road and Country Vista Drive.
As Officer Jones tried to safely catch up to the Mustang, the driver, later identified as 22-year-old Tyler M. Schulz, continued his reckless behavior reaching speeds of approximately 90 mph. Schulz turned east on Trent and eventually turned northbound onto Starr Road. Officer Jones tried to keep sight of Schulz, who began shutting his lights off, but Schulz began to pull away on the curvy roads at his high rate of speed.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office’s Air 1, which was already in the air patrolling, arrived in the area and began advising the ground units of Schulz’s location safely from above.
Corporal Jeff Thurman, with his K9 partner Laslo, caught up to Schulz as he traveled westbound on Trent from Idaho Road. As Schulz slowed at Starr Road, Deputy Thurman surveyed the area for other vehicles and pedestrian traffic and determined it was safe to attempt a PIT maneuver to safely end this pursuit. After successfully conducting the PIT, stopping the vehicle, Schulz put his hands up and began following commands.
Officer Jones and Corporal Thurman safely worked together to take Schulz into custody without further incident.
Officer Jones transported Schulz to the Spokane County Jail where he was booked for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, a felony.
This is a great example of how your local law enforcement agencies work together to keep our community safe.