Public Safety News Releases for May 2020

May 29

Motor Escort Leaves Spokane Monday Morning

6:22 p.m. - SPD and SCSO to send off cross country motorcycle ride honoring law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2019.

SPD Makes Drug Arrest

5:11 p.m. - Spokane PD makes drug arrest after being alerted by concerned citizen

May 27

Traffic Stop Leads To Two Arrests

2:57 p.m. - Traffic stop leads to two arrests for narcotics and felon in possession of a firearm.

Two Drive-By Shootings Occurred Overnight

2:53 p.m. - Two drive-by shootings occurred overnight. A victim received a life threatening injury in the first incident. No injuries were reported in the second.

May 26

Stolen Vehicle Recovered and Driver Arrested With Citizen's Help

4:07 p.m. - An officer located a stolen vehicle, the suspect attempted to elude before abandoning the car. A citizen's reporting led to SPD locating the driver.

Six Officers Quarantining After Arresting the Same Man Twice In a Week

3:50 p.m. - A man who has tested positive for COVID–19 and refuses to self-isolate has been arrested twice in five days, sending six SPD officers into quarantine.

May 23

ROP Released and Continues to Victimize the Spokane

7:35 p.m. - Brian Danner, part of the ROP since '04, was released on bond in November, failed to comply with his release terms, and was rearrested May 3rd.

May 21

Fallen Officers Remembered

5:24 p.m. - Fallen law enforcement officers to be honored with permanent graveside marker.

Stand Off Ends Peacefully

8:34 a.m. - A stand off in the 500 block of W 23rd ends peaceably when and armed man surrenders to the Spokane Police SWAT Team.

May 20

Spokane Experiences Another Homicide

5:59 p.m. - Spokane experiences another homicide this year. This death occurred in an apartment building across from SPD's Downtown Precinct.

May 19

Car Crashes into the Fox Theater

12:43 p.m. - This morning a car narrowly missed a pedestrian and crashed into the FOX Theater after running red lights, and traveling at speeds of 60 – 70 mph.

May 18

Police Officer Assaulted During Downtown Traffic Stop

4:50 p.m. - Spokane Police Department officer assaulted during a downtown traffic stop on Sunday, May 17.

May 15

Flags Lowered For Peace Officers Memorial Day

10:39 a.m. - Mayor directs flags to fly half-staff

May 14

Suspect Arrested On Warrant Smashed Head Against SPD Vehicle

1:38 p.m. - Suspect smashes head against SPD vehicle, says he will claim it was the officer that hit him with his car. The incident was recorded on body cam.

Behavioral Health Unit Sees Success amidst COVID-19 Challenges

1:26 p.m. - BHU has strong success despite adjusted services due to COVID-19 and an increased number of people in crisis during the statewide lockdown.

May 13

Scammers Making Unemployment Claims Using Stolen Information

10:55 p.m. - Everyone is trying to make the best of the current situation due to COVID; unfortunately that includes scammers making fraudulent unemployment claims.

Suspect Threatens Wheelchair-Bound Senior with Knife

4:25 p.m. - Eighteen year old, 6’3”, 250 lb. suspect threatens wheelchair-bound senior with knife while stealing his phone.

May 12

Attempted Arson Suspect Arrested

1:33 p.m. - Suspect arrested for attempting to burn down house with ex-girlfriend asleep inside.

May 11

Launch of Community Connect Database

5:20 p.m. - SFD has been working with technology partner First due to release Community Connect, an application focused on protecting residents and their property

Lewis and Clark High School Construction Burglary

5:12 p.m. - SPD Officer responded to a commercial alarm in the New Construction Area of Lewis and Clark High School, located in the 600 block of West 5th Avenue.

Double DUI from Downtown Collision

5:09 p.m. - Driver arrested for DUI after causing a crash in the downtown area. The tow truck driver that responded to the crash was also arrested for DUI.

Eluding Arrest from N Division Street

5:03 p.m. - Spokane Police arrest eluding suspect who drove northbound on N Division St., in the southbound lanes of travel, at speeds approaching 100 mph.

May 8

Reported Road Rage Shooting, Isn't What It Appeared

4:56 p.m. - Police respond to an alleged road rage shooting on HWY 195 and determine that the alleged victim had actually shot himself in the leg at his home.

Stolen Guitars

4:53 p.m. - Suspect arrested for stealing and pawning multiple guitars during the month of December 2019.

Early Morning West Central Structure Fire

4:52 p.m. - The Spokane Fire Department extinguished a structure fire at 1317 North Wall Street.

South Hill Fire Follow-Up

4:48 p.m. - Spokane Fire extinguishes a rapidly growing natural cover fire in a South Hill alley.

Brandishing and Collision at Division and Indiana

8:37 a.m. - Reckless driver causes collision at Division and Indiana.

May 7

Officer Breaks Arm during Arrest

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.

May 6

Car Lot Damage

8:49 p.m. - Suspects cause almost $60,000 in damage to vehicles at car lot.

14-Year-Old Girl Stops Vehicle Theft

8:47 p.m. - Truck theft thwarted by victim’s 14 year old daughter who chased down the vehicle on foot.

May 5

SPD Arrests 19 Time Convicted Felon

3:58 p.m. - Surveillance cameras, alert police officer, key to putting 19 time convicted felon back behind bars.

One Occupant Pulled from Car Submerged in Spokane River After Crash

1:54 a.m. - Officers & citizens pulled a male from a car in the river. He was taken to an area hospital with serious injuries. South Riverton is now open.

May 4

3 Separate Car Thieves Were Arrested and/or Released Over the Weekend

5:34 p.m. - Three separate car thieves were arrested and/or released over the weekend perpetuating a chronic property crime spree plaguing citizens of Spokane.

Domestic Violence Flyer

5:29 p.m. - City residents to receive a resource flyer in their utility bill to help combat domestic violence

Suspects Crash Vehicle While Fleeing Scene of Violent Confrontation

5:26 p.m. - Suspect crashes vehicle at E Hartson and Fourth Avenue while fleeing scene of a violent confrontation.

SPD Requests Assistance in Identifying Burglary Suspect

5:19 p.m. - Spokane Police request public assistance in identifying a south hill burglar.

Brush Fire Riverside State Park

5:15 p.m. - The Spokane Fire Department and Department of Natural Resources respond to a fire in the area near North TJ Meenach Drive and West Downriver.

SPD safely arrests pitchfork wielding assault suspect

1:54 a.m. - The victim received minor injuries after being attacked with a pitchfork

May 3

Shooting at Cannon Park leaves multiple injured

6:51 p.m. - Around 4PM, SPD received multiple reports of shots being fired on the East side of Cannon Park. Multiple people are being treated at area hospitals

May 1

Police Encounter Few Problems at May Day March/Protest

5:14 p.m. - Several hundred people gathered to protest the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. Officers were staged to monitor the event in order to keep the peace.