“Suspect’s Steal Vehicle for a Joy Ride and Flee
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Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Corporal Jeff Thurman located a vehicle, occupied by three suspects, minutes after it was reported stolen from the 12700 block of East Mansfield in Spokane Valley. After a pursuit that ended in the area of Francis and Pittsburg, all three suspects were safely taken into custody and booked into jail.
This morning, at approximately 4:10 a.m., Corporal Thurman heard a radio advisory a black Dodge Ram truck had just been stolen. In the area of Indiana and Pines, he observed a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle traveling westbound on Indiana at an extremely high rate of speed. The vehicle ran the red light at Pines and entered I-90 westbound as the driver continued his extremely dangerous and reckless behavior.
Corporal Thurman caught up to the vehicle east of the Argonne exit and activated his emergency lights and siren. The driver, later identified as 24-year-old Timothy R. Candler, failed to stop and continued to drive in excess of 100mph. Corporal Thurman confirmed the license plate matched the newly reported stolen vehicle as Candler slowed slightly and exited I-90 at Argonne and fled northbound.
With little traffic and Candler’s reckless and dangerous driving prior to Corporal Thurman’s attempt to stop him, Corporal Thurman continued to pursue. The Dodge began to smoke prior to turning westbound on Bigelow Gulch from Argonne.
At Francis and Freya, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy John Nave successfully deployed spike strips as the truck continued westbound on Francis. As the truck’s tires began to deflate, the speeds dropped to 45mph as Candler ran the red light at Crestline. Candler slowed to approximately 10mph as he attempted to turn south on Pittsburg where he lost control, hitting a curb and mailbox, before coming to a stop.
Corporal Thurman quickly exited his patrol car with his K9 partner, Laslo. He gave K9 announcements K9 Laslo would be deployed as Laslo announced his presence by barking. All three occupants of the vehicle, Candler, 27-year-old Amber L. Strausser and 20-year-old Jarrett B. Keefer, raised their hands, followed commands and were safely taken into custody.
After being advised of his rights, Candler told Corporal Thurman Strausser and Keefer were present when he popped the ignition with a screw driver and stole the truck to go for a joy ride. Candler also advised he just got out of prison for the same thing and was very sorry.
All three were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle. Candler was also charged with Attempting to Elude a Pursuing Police Vehicle and a misdemeanor warrant for Reckless Driving.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer
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