Stolen Scooter Suspect Tries to Elude Deputies & K9 Bane
Spokane Valley Deputies arrested 39-year-old Travis S. Chuitt after he fled from Deputy Clay Hilton on a stolen Honda Scooter. Chuitt was found hiding behind some vehicles in a car lot after he fled on foot and jumped a fence to avoid meeting a pursuing K9 Bane.
On June 30, 2017, just after 5:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Hilton observed a street legal scooter being driven at approximately 30mph on the sidewalk on Pines, near Main in Spokane Valley.
As Deputy Hilton approached the scooter’s location, the driver, later identified as Chuitt, jumped off the curb into the lane of travel. Chuitt looked over his shoulder at Deputy Hilton’s patrol car, with its emergency lights activated, and suddenly made a U-turn across the lanes of travel, accelerated and began to flee southbound on Pines.
Chuitt turned into the parking lot on the northwest corner of Pines and Sprague with Deputy Hilton behind. As Chuitt traveled though the parking lot, dispatch advised the scooter had been reported stolen on June 18th. When Chuitt crossed over a speed bump at speed, he started to lose control of the scooter. Chuitt regained control, slowed down, and crossed over Perine Road. He jumped off the scooter and decided to flee on foot.
Deputy Hilton quickly exited his patrol car while yelling for Chuitt to stop, he was under arrest and warned K9 Bane would be used if he failed to stop. Failing to heed the warnings, Deputy Hilton released K9 Bane to apprehend Chuitt. K9 Bane quickly closed distance but Chuitt dove over a 6” fence to avoid contact with the determined K9 Bane.
Assisting Deputies arrived in the area and began to set up a perimeter. As Deputy Skye Ortiz arrived in the area, he observed Chuitt hiding behind some vehicles in a car lot. Not knowing if Chuitt was armed and unable to see his hands, Deputy Ortiz identified himself, drew his sidearm into a low ready position and began ordering Chuitt to show his hands and get on the ground.
Chuitt refused to follow the numerous commands. Deputy Criswell arrived and took the non-compliant Chuitt into custody while Deputy Skye provided cover.
Chuitt denied driving the scooter or having any knowledge it was stolen even though Deputy Hilton positively identified Chuitt as the suspect.
Chuitt was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Law Enforcement.
