Safe Streets Task Force, North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force Work
Together to Locate and Arrest an Armed, Wanted, Convicted Felon
Members of the Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force (SRSSTF) joined together with the North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force to locate and arrest 28-year-old Mark T. Garnett, a convicted felon who had an active Idaho felony probation violation warrant and was believed to be armed.
Last week, Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force members were asked to assist the FBI North Idaho Violent Crimes Task Force with locating and arresting Garnett on an Idaho felony probation violation warrant.
They received information Garnett, a convicted felon, was a substance abuser and had access to numerous pistols and an AR15 style rifle along with a significant amount of ammunition. Further information was obtained: he knew he was wanted, was trying to avoid contact with law enforcement, and possibly staying at an address near the 17400 block of East 3rd in Spokane Valley.
On Friday April 21, 2017, just after 11:00 a.m., Garnett was observed arriving back at the location after receiving information from an anonymous “tipster”: Garnett had been out shooting pistols at a range.
With the safety of the community a priority, members of the SRSSTF, NIVCTF, and Spokane Valley Patrol Deputies, immediately converged on the residence to prevent the potentially armed suspect from fleeing on foot or in a vehicle. After the residence was surrounded, and more than ten minutes of announcements calling for Garnett to surrender, he eventually complied, walked out of the residence, and was safely taken into custody.
A warrant to search the residence for the firearms was requested and obtained. An AR15 style rifle with laser sights and optics, along with numerous 30 round magazines and scores of ammunition, was seized, as well as a small amount of heroin.
Garnett was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for a Fugitive from Justice charge due to the felony Idaho warrant for his arrest.
This investigation continues and additional charges are expected in the future.
Assistance was provided by NIVCTF, Spokane County K9 deputy Kullman and members of the joint Safe Streets Task Force.
The Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Spokane Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Corrections, and the FBI. The SRSSTF is a FBI sponsored task force working to alleviate the criminal activities of gangs, violent criminals and upper level drug traffickers.