Submitted by Fox First at Ten on March 8th
SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police had a busy night when several incidents required a police response, resulting in several arrests.
First, police attempted to pull over a car near downtown Spokane when the car sped off leading police on a high speed chase. Police made a PIT maneuver near Fairview and Maple, and after a short pursuit took 2 into custody. In the midst of the foot pursuit an officer was injured when the suspect fought back while resisting arrest. Full press release is below.
Next, around 2AM, a hit and run occurred in downtown Spokane on Riverside and Stevens. A car hit a motorcycle rider and left the scene, the rider was transported to the hospital and was alert at the time.
Just a few minutes after that, police engaged a car driving recklessly in north Spokane near Division and Francis in a chase that ended a few blocks south at Columbia and Division. Police took the driver of the car into custody on charges that include evading police and suspicion of DUI.
FULL PRESS RELEASE ON MAPLE/FAIRVIEW CHASE:
Spokane Police arrested two suspects after a vehicle pursuit ended in North Spokane, shortly after midnight Thursday night. When the car came to a stop, after a PIT maneuver, both suspects fled on foot and one fought before being caught.
The incident began after the vehicle was seen driving in a reckless manner on Division, heading toward downtown. When officers attempted to stop the car, it continued driving reckless and attempted to elude police.
The vehicle was forced to stop at Maple and Fairview, after a Pursuit Immobilization Technique (PIT) was used. The male driver and female passenger attempted to flee on foot but were caught a short distance away. The male began fighting with police, causing injuries to himself and an officer.
The driver was identified as 29 year old Casey Gillette, who had multiple felony warrants, has been arrested for stealing cars before, and was in possession of shaved keys. The passenger was identified as 28 year old Naomi Stearns, who also had a felony warrant and has a theft history. The vehicle, a 1996 Honda Accord, had been reported stolen at about 7:00 pm earlier that evening.
Gillette was transported to a local hospital for a possible hurt rib. The injured officer was transported to a local hospital for a broken collar bone. Stearns was transported to jail.
Spokane Police would like to thank citizens for their patience while the roadway was blocked for a short time. Special thanks to the citizens' concerns for the injured officer, we appreciate the gratitude the community gives to its officers.
