Police Department

Officer Breaks Arm during Arrest

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 3:04 p.m.

A Spokane Police Officer received a broken arm while taking a wanted man to the ground during a trespass and open / consume contact downtown.  

On the 5^th of May a little after 4 PM Spokane Police Officers contacted a group of people near the corner of Sprague and Howard who were trespassing and drinking alcohol in public.  During the incident one of the men later identified as Aaron J Vanderweele who was drinking a beer at the time of the contact, lied to officers about who he was.  As officers were trying to identify him he became aggressive yelling at the officers, stating he had “been to prison”.   Eventually officers were able to identify him and discovered he had a valid warrant, he clenched his fists and tensed up when officers moved to take him into custody.

He resisted the officers attempt to arrest him, partially pulled away and tried to run. Vanderweele got a few steps away and officers had to take him to the ground, one of the officers also went to the ground in the struggle, injuring his wrist and arm.  Once on the ground Vanderweele was taken into custody without further incident. 

The officer was seen at a local Hospital and was notified he had a minor broken bone that would require light duty for a couple of weeks and was given a brace for his arm.  

Vanderweele was booked into jail for his warrant and also charged with criminal trespass 2^nd degree, resisting arrest and making a false statement to a public servant. 

 

SPD # 2020-20074463

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