Motor Deputy Wants to Speak with Driver/Victim of a Dark-Colored Truck at the Intersection of Francis and Market last Monday at 9:45 am
A Spokane County Traffic Unit Deputy is attempting to identify a driver/victim of a dark-colored pickup truck traveling west on Francis Avenue that was stopped at the red light at Market Street on Monday, May 1, 2023, at approximately 9:45 am., behind a silver Honda Accord.
Deputies would like the driver/victim of the dark-colored pickup or anyone who could help identify the driver to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10061097.
The driver/victim was stopped behind the noted silver Honda Accord, waiting to turn left (south) on Market Street. When the light turned green, both the Honda and the pickup began to turn south when the Deputy, riding his fully marked patrol motorcycle, observed a person inside the Honda, wearing a long-sleeved green sweatshirt, put his arm out the sunroof and point what appeared to be a black, possibly Glock, handgun in the direction of the dark-colored pickup.
The Deputy observing this feared the suspect would begin shooting. The Deputy focused on the suspect vehicle and passed the truck. The truck did not stop; it is unknown if it continued south on Market or turned off. The Honda turned into a parking lot in the 5600 block of N. Market Street and pulled to the south side of the property.
With assistance heading his way, the Deputy pulled into the parking lot and observed a white male, later identified as 37-year-old Jayme L. Scamolla, wearing a baseball hat, green sweatshirt, and green sweatpants, exit the driver’s seat. The passenger of the vehicle, described as a white male wearing a gray beanie, gray shirt, and jeans, exited the front passenger’s seat.
The Deputy approached them and began giving commands to show their hands. The passenger immediately complied, but Scamolla refused to cooperate. At one point, Scamolla reached back into the vehicle to grab his cell phone in defiance of the commands. Not knowing where the firearm was, the Deputy ordered both males to get down on the ground in a prone position, and eventually, they both complied.
When additional patrol units, including Spokane Police Officers, arrived, Scamolla and the passenger were safely detained.
A check of Scamolla’s name revealed his driving privileges were Suspended 1st Degree. Scamolla was sweating heavily, his speech was rapid, and he appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
Multiple smoking devices, consistent with methamphetamine use, could clearly be seen inside the vehicle. Also observed was what appeared to be a black Glock pistol tucked behind the driver’s seat.
Scamolla was asked to submit to field sobriety evaluations, and he agreed. Following the evaluations, he was arrested for Assault 2nd Degree, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/Drugs, and Driving while Suspended 1st Degree.
The Honda was seized pending a search warrant. A sample of Scamolla’s blood was obtained after a valid search warrant was granted for testing at a later time.
Scamolla was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Assault 2nd Degree, DUI, and Driving while Suspended 1st Degree.
The passenger of the vehicle was not charged and later released at the scene.
With a valid search warrant, the pistol was retrieved and seized as evidence, along with several other items of possible evidentiary value.
This remains an active investigation.
Deputies would like the driver/victim of the dark-colored pickup or anyone who could help identify the driver to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10061097.
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