SWAT Successfully Arrests Barricaded Uncooperative Suspect
Spokane Valley Deputies began investigating a Domestic Violence Order for Protection Violation (DVOPV) and developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for nine felony charges and two misdemeanors. The suspect refused to exit his apartment despite several attempts to gain his cooperation. The SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiators continued efforts to get him to comply but were unsuccessful. With a signed search warrant, SWAT Team members entered the apartment and contacted the suspect. The suspect remained defiant, and a less lethal impact munition was deployed when the suspect reached toward a knife. He was safely taken into custody, cleared medically, and booked into the Spokane County Jail for nine felonies (Violation of a DVOPV, eight counts of Computer Trespass 1st Degree) and two misdemeanors (Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree and Resisting Arrest).
On August 28, 2022, at approximately 8:20 pm., Spokane Valley Deputies contacted an adult female victim, reporting a DVOPV violation.
She stated the suspect, 33-year-old Jacob A. Northrup, violated a Domestic Violence No Contact Order that was in place. He went to her residence, attempted to contact her, and broke her video doorbell camera. She also provided evidence that Northrup accessed several of her email and social media accounts and changed her passwords, locking her out of the accounts. Northrup then contacted the victim, violating the DV Order again, and threatened to post/send out derogatory, demeaning, and humiliating information through the accounts if she didn’t meet him in person.
Deputies responded to Northrup’s apartment, 2900 block of N. Cherry Ln., and confirmed he was inside the apartment. Several attempts to contact Northrup were unsuccessful, including several announcements from a fully marked patrol car’s PA system with emergency lights activated. During this time, someone inside the apartment closed all the blinds and turned off all the lights.
Previously, Northrup threatened to try and provoke law enforcement into shooting him, and currently was choosing not to comply or exit his apartment. Due to this extremely dangerous situation, and it was unknown if he had access to firearms in the apartment, SWAT and Crisis Negotiators were summoned to the scene, and a search warrant was requested. Other occupants of apartments in the immediate area were advised to evacuate or shelter in place for their safety.
Once at the location, SWAT and Negotiators tried to coax Northrup into surrendering peacefully. Northrup claimed, via text, that he wasn’t inside the apartment, stating he was at work. Deputies confirmed he was observed inside the apartment and was not working where he claimed.
At approximately 11:55 pm., a signed and valid search warrant was obtained, and SWAT Team members moved up to Northrup’s door at approximately 12:25 am. The apartment was entered, and Northrup was found lying on the living room couch. He refused to obey commands asking Deputies to say please.
When Northrup began to reach for a pocketknife in his pants pocket, a less lethal impact round was used, and Northrup was taken into custody without further incident.
Northrup was provided medical attention and cleared. He was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for nine felonies, Violation of a DVOPV, eight counts of Computer Trespass 1st Degree, and two misdemeanors, Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree and Resisting Arrest.
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