Police Department

SPD Arrests Man Hiding In Refrigerator Truck

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Monday, July 22, 2019 at 1:54 p.m.

Male reported to be holding a handgun on Monroe Street Bridge runs from the police and hides in refrigeration truck. Male is located and arrested by Spokane Police Officers.

This morning, around 7:30 a.m., a concerned citizen reported a man walking across the Monroe Street Bridge who appeared to be holding a gun in his hand. Officers were dispatched to the scene and located the subject. The male was wearing something covering his face and he was motioning his hand towards traffic. Officers told the male to show his hands and before they could contact him, he fled from officers into the construction area on Spokane Falls Boulevard and Monroe Street.

Officers located Steven L. Pietro hiding inside a refrigeration truck parked at the construction area. Pietro was taken into custody without incident even though there was an “officer safety notice” on file for him. Pietro had made prior statements to assault Law Enforcement Officers when contacted.

At the conclusion of this incident it turned out Pietro was wearing a black glove on his right hand and was not in possession of a handgun. The arresting officer said the black glove, in addition to the way Pietro was displaying his hand, did in fact make it look like he was holding a firearm.

No citizens, officers nor Pietro were injured during the brief chase and arrest.

Pietro was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and Trespassing 2^nd Degree.

Pietro has been arrested in the City of Spokane 6 times from June 2018 to June 2019 for charges of Disorderly Conduct, Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer and Trespassing.

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