Suspect Reportedly Points Gun at Roommate and tries to Flee on Foot
Deputies Located/Captured Him with the Help of an Unmanned Aerial System
Spokane Valley Deputies located a reportedly armed suspect after he fled on foot into the thick vegetation along the Spokane River. A Spokane Regional Air Support Unit (SRASU) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS-drone), with thermal imaging infrared technology, located the suspect and guided Deputies toward his location. After another foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies recovered two realistic-looking replica pistols, a bag of suspected Fentanyl pills (approximately 300), an electronic scale, and other drug paraphernalia.
On March 11, 2023, at approximately 6:15 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a person with a weapon call at a residence in the 2800 block of N. Rivista Drive. The caller/victim stated a friend he had let stay at his home for the last few days pulled a gun on him during an argument.
The victim identified the male as 29-year-old Mark L. Rogers and provided a description. He said he was in his room, and Rogers was still inside the home.
Deputy Loos, Deputy Bullion, Deputy Harris, Deputy Perry, and additional Deputies arrived and began approaching the home. As they did, they observed a male matching Rogers’ description carrying a backpack exit the residence. Rogers was told it was the police and they needed to talk to him. He looked at the Deputies, and instead of stopping, he turned away and ran to the south. He was told he was not free to leave but ignored the information. He was told to stop and was under arrest, but again he ignored the Deputies and continued to run with the Deputies giving chase.
Deputies lost sight of Rogers as he jumped a fence and rounded the corner of another residence. With the assistance of Liberty Lake Officers, Deputies quickly established a perimeter, and a K9 Unit and SRASU UAS responded to the location.
Rogers continued to flee, moving around residences to avoid capture while ignoring additional commands to stop and surrender.
Deputy Giacomini arrived and launched his UAS, utilizing its thermal imaging infrared technology to search the dark and thick brush near the Spokane River. Deputy Giacomini located a person walking through the heavy foliage inside the perimeter that had been established and directed Deputies toward the male’s (Rogers’) location.
Deputy Bullion and Deputy Loos located a set of fresh footprints in the snow emerging from the thick brush. They approached the area where Rogers was reported to be and observed Rogers walking approximately 50 years ahead. Rogers was again told to stop, but he turned and ran, cutting through yards.
Unfortunately for Rogers, additional Deputies were closing in from all sides. Realizing he was caught, Rogers complied with commands and was taken into custody.
Deputies began searching the route Rogers took during his attempted escape and located his baseball cap, a bag of suspected Fentanyl pills, and his backpack.
A search warrant was obtained for the residence and Rogers’ backpack. During the search, deputies located and seized an electronic scale, multiple small baggies, a realistic-looking pepper ball gun, and a realistic-looking BB gun.
The victim said he argued with Rogers because he consistently had people, including someone who brought their dog, over. He explained Rogers had only been staying there for a couple of days, and because of all the commotion, he told Rogers that he needed to find another place to stay. Rogers was upset and arrived at the home, asking the victim if they had a problem. The victim said they did have a problem, and Roger’s reached into his waistband, pulled out a black handgun, and pointed it directly at the victim. The victim said he feared for his life and told Rogers they no longer had a problem. The victim went to his room and called 911. While doing so, he heard Rogers say, “You really called the cops?” and a noise that he thought sounded like the cocking of a pistol. Rogers left the home sometime afterward.
Rogers was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 2nd Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Obstructing, and Resisting Arrest. His total bond was set at $15,000 by Spokane County Superior Court Judge C. Bjelkengren.
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