Burglary Suspect Arrested After Ramming a Patrol Car, Occupied by Two Deputies, During Attempt to Flee
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies and Investigative Unit Detectives are investigating several burglaries in the Edencrest/Little Spokane Drive area. Tracking a victim’s stolen Expedition, Deputies responded to an apartment complex on N. Hill N Dale Street. When two Deputies in a fully marked patrol car with emergency lights activated approached the vehicle, the suspect jumped in the driver’s seat and backed away. The patrol car followed around a corner, and the Expedition emerged, traveling forward at a high rate of speed and slammed into the patrol vehicle before fleeing from the parking lot. Additional Deputies located the vehicle after it crashed into a retaining wall in the 9500 block of E. Holland Avenue. The adult male driver was arrested for various charges, and the adult female passenger was detained and later released without charges. One Deputy received minor injuries when the suspect rammed his vehicle.
On September 11, 2022, at approximately 12:40 am, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies and a Detective assigned to the Spokane County Investigative Unit responded to the 15200 block of N. Edencrest Drive for a reported burglary.
This was the third burglary call reported within a three-mile area since September 10, 2022.
The victim stated his garage was entered, and an unidentified male stole his white Ford Expedition. Using an app for the vehicle, it was tracked to the 8400 block of N. Wilding Drive. As multiple Deputies responded to the area, location updates were provided.
Two Deputies in a fully marked patrol car arrived in the area and noticed a white SUV parked perpendicular to the parking stall at an apartment complex on N. Hill N Dale Street (there is an entrance/exit onto Colton). They entered the parking lot and noticed the vehicle/license plate matched the stolen vehicle. A male, later identified as 32-year-old Pierre R. Paige, was outside the SUV, near the driver’s door and the back trunk/hatch was open. As they got closer, Paige made eye contact and entered the driver’s seat. Deputies noticed a female in the passenger’s seat, and they activated their emergency lights.
Paige put the SUV in reverse and quickly backed away from the patrol car, rounding a corner and out of sight. Deputies followed and started the turn when they noticed the Expedition was now traveling forward toward their patrol car and rammed into them at a high rate of speed. The impact disabled the patrol car and created an extremely dangerous and possibly deadly situation by temporarily pinning the patrol car and eliminating any possible avenue of escape from the driver’s side.
Deputy Hick exited the passenger’s side, drew his sidearm, and ordered Paige and the female to show their hands. Paige chose to ignore the commands and accelerated heavily, causing the tires of the Expedition to squeal. Moments later, the Expedition squeezed past the patrol car, crashed into five parked vehicles, and almost struck Deputy Leighton’s marked patrol car as Paige fled through and out of the parking lot at high speeds.
Just arriving at the location, Deputy Ballou heard the radio traffic and observed the Expedition exit the apartment complex and continue north on Colton. Deputy Ballou, able to pursue due to the Assault 2nd charges (Violent Offense as defined by RCW 9.94A.030) for ramming the patrol car, began to pursue Paige. Paige chose to ignore Deputy Ballou’s emergency lights/siren and actively and recklessly tried to evade capture.
Still northbound on Colton, Paige began to slow and attempted to turn west on E. Holland Avenue but failed to navigate the turn successfully. He crashed into a retaining wall in the 9500 block of E. Holland, coming to rest on top of the wall.
Deputy Ballou exited his vehicle, drew his sidearm, and gave commands for Paige and the female to show their hands. Finally, Paige complied, as did the female. With the assistance of Deputy Leighton and Spokane Police Officers, who arrived shortly after the crash, both were taken into custody without further incident.
The adult female was cooperative and provided a statement. She explained the driver, unknown to her, pulled up as she was walking home and asked if she had a lighter. They began to talk, and Paige offered her a ride after he made a couple of stops, which she accepted. She had no knowledge of Paige’s activities.
Paige was advised of his rights and refused to answer questions. He did confirm that he had just met the female, offered her a ride, and that she was not involved with any of his criminal activities.
The female was released at the scene without charges.
Paige was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail, where he remains, charged with Assault 2nd Degree, Residential Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, and Residential Burglary (attempted). Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner Stine set his bond at $150,000.
Paige may also face additional felony and misdemeanor charges as the investigation into the burglaries reported in the area, and this incident continues.
The second Deputy in the patrol car that was rammed received medical attention for injuries, thankfully believed to be minor.
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