Fleeing Suspect in Stolen Car Escapes Deputies
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responding to a welfare check early Monday morning turned into a pursuit as the person they responded to assist fled in a vehicle on then on foot.
On Monday July 17, 2017 just prior to 5:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to assist Spokane County Fire with a welfare check in the 500 block of W. Bellwood Dr. in north Spokane County.
Deputy Hairston arrived and contacted Spokane County Fire Department personnel already on scene. He learned fire contacted the three occupants (2 males, 1 female) of the vehicle. When contacted, all three were awake and the male driver said they were trying to find a place to sleep and did not need assistance. SCFD stated it was unknown if the driver was under the influence of drugs/alcohol, but it was possible.
As Deputy Hairston received information regarding where the vehicle was located in the parking lot, he observed the black Nissan Pathfinder exiting the parking lot onto Bellwood Dr. and drive out of sight. He notified Deputy Kravtsov of the information and shortly after heard Deputy Kravtsov announce, via his radio, the two passengers jumped out of the vehicle before it drove away.
In the area of Hastings and Normandie, Deputy Hairston located the Pathfinder again. It was traveling at a high rate of speed and the driver was swerving back and forth across both lanes of travel. Deputy Hairston and Deputy B. Miller had their emergency lights activated and attempted to stop the vehicle for reckless driving and numerous additional violations, but the driver continued his recklessness and failed to pull over.
The driver continued to recklessly flee and drive in a very abrupt manner. When he turned west on W. Austin Rd. from N. Dartford Dr., Deputy Miller conducted a PIT maneuver to try and safely end the pursuit. His efforts were successful, but as Deputy Hairston moved in to block the driver’s escape route, the driver accelerated directly toward Deputy Hairston’s patrol car before swerving off the road and into a field.
The abandoned vehicle was located a short time later in a wooded area near the 300 block of W. Austin. A check of the vehicle VIN number (no license plates) showed the vehicle as stolen. A K9 track and search for the driver was unsuccessful.
As the vehicle was being towed away, deputies learned of a burglary in progress being reported in the 4800 block of N. Hazard Rd. Deputies quickly responded and learned the description of the burglary suspect matched the description of the fleeing driver.
The victim of the burglary said she heard from her neighbors about the uncaptured suspect fleeing from deputies earlier in the morning and armed herself with a handgun for safety. She explained she heard a door to the house open and then an unknown male’s voice and footsteps inside the residence. Armed with the handgun, she hid behind a dresser until she noticed the male she did not know enter the room. She stood up and pointed the firearm of the suspect and yelled for him to get out of the house. The male immediately turned and ran out onto the deck, jumped off and continued running. The victim stated she fired a “warning shot” into the ground as the suspect fled because she was afraid and wanted to make sure he didn’t turn around and come back.
A perimeter was established and a K9 track started until deputies learned the suspect stole an ATV to flee the area.
Deputies believe the suspect involved in both incidents is the same person but he was not located. Investigators continue to look into both these incidents.
The suspect faces charges of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Eluding Law Enforcement, Residential Burglary, Theft of a Motor Vehicle and Malicious Mischief 2nd and 3rd Degree.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents is urged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 reference #10093044.