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Fleeing Driver Captured After Pursuit Initiates in Idaho
On June 19, 2016 at approximately 11:20 p.m., Spokane Valley Police, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies, Spokane Police, Liberty Lake Police Officers and Air 1 responded to a call to assist Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police who were in pursuit of a vehicle that had crossed over into Washington. The occupants reportedly fired at or toward the Tribal Officer when the pursuit was still in Idaho. The driver, later identified as 19-year-old Austin M. Bailey, was arrested for Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Obstructing Law Enforcement and Resisting Arrest.
The incident began when Coeur d’Alene Tribal Police (CDATPD) requested assistance as their pursuit entered into Washington. CDATPD reported someone in the vehicle had fired toward their patrol unit in Idaho before the pursuit crossed over into Washington.
Deputies picked up the pursuit and successfully deployed spike strips near Rockford as the suspect continued north on Highway 27 at approximately 80 mph. The pursuit speeds dropped considerably once three of the four tires went flat after being spiked. Deputies could see at least two occupants in the vehicle and could see cigarettes being discarded from the vehicle as Bailey continued to flee at 10 to 20 mph. The fourth tire eventually was successfully spiked and went flat in the area of Highway 27 and Jackson as the suspect continued to travel north on Highway 27.
Deputies continued to give verbal announcements throughout the pursuit via the PA system advising the driver to stop and that he was under arrest but Bailey continued to try and evade arrest.
With Bailey’s continued disregard for everyone’s safety and the need to terminate this extremely dangerous situation, Sergeant Pat Bloomer moved in and successfully performed a PIT maneuver causing the suspect vehicle to spin and hit the guardrail.
With the suspect car safely immobilized, Air 1 arriving overhead and Sheriff’s Office and SPD K9 Units at the scene, Bailey and the adult female passenger followed commands and were taken into custody without further incident.
Before asserting his right to remain silent, Bailey told deputies he didn’t stop because he didn’t have a license and didn’t want to go to jail. The passenger stated she wouldn’t answer any question regarding Bailey but said she told Bailey to stop and pull over during the pursuit. She denied either of them firing a weapon at the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Officer.
Bailey was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement, Obstructing Law Enforcement and Resisting Arrest.
The vehicle was impounded and a search warrant was applied for and granted. Deputies recovered a BB style replica handgun and drugs in the vehicle during the search. This investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
Air 1 video can be viewed on the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel at https://youtu.be/H3epC8ljcMs or on our Facebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/SpokaneCountySheriffsOffice
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Office
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