Victim tracks stolen truck
Photo of all the drugs, paraphernalia, and weapons confiscated from the DUI arrest of Jason D. Nelson, 41 on September 6.g
SPOKANE VALLEY - A Spokane Valley man was arrested after stealing a black Ford F250, leading police on a brief chase, and abandoning the vehicle near downtown Spokane. Deputies, with help from citizens, tracked down the suspect, 34-year-old Jamze K. West, who attempted to flee on foot.
The incident began when the owner of a black Ford F250, stolen earlier that day, contacted Spokane Valley Deputies after successfully tracking his vehicle using GPS. The victim stated that he had left his truck overnight for servicing and discovered it missing along with over $1,200 in cash that had been inside. The victim also reported the theft to the Spokane Police Department (SPD) and continued to provide updates to deputies as he tracked the truck's location.
Deputies responded to the scene near East Sprague Avenue and North Pines Road and eventually spotted the stolen truck.
The suspect, West, was behind the wheel when deputies located the stolen vehicle near Bernard and Riverside. West initially pulled over when deputies activated their emergency lights and sirens, but after briefly stopping, he sped up, and drove recklessly at speeds of 50-60 mph in a 35 mph zone.
Concerned for public safety due to the heavy traffic, deputies did not initiate a high-speed pursuit, in line with department policy on non-violent offenders.
West continued to drive recklessly, running a red light and nearly causing a collision before abandoning the truck on East Boone Avenue. Deputies followed a trail of vehicle fluids and located the abandoned truck.
Citizens in the area provided information, leading deputies and SPD officers to locate West near Hamilton Street along the Centennial rail.
West was arrested without further resistance and taken into custody.
According to authorities, West has an extensive criminal history with multiple arrests in Spokane County. After confirming that West was the individual captured on security footage stealing the truck earlier that day, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of motor vehicle theft, second-degree theft, and attempting to elude law enforcement.
Officers also recovered the cash left in the vehicle by the owner.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
Reader Comments(0)