Victim Catches Vehicle Prowler in the Act

Spokane Valley Deputies arrested an adult male suspect after the owner of a vehicle caught the suspect inside his car and detained him. The suspect was booked into jail for Vehicle Prowling 2nd Degree.
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On January 16, 2019, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of an adult male victim who was detaining a vehicle prowler caught inside his car.

Deputies arrived quickly and detained the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Dillon J. Marcotte (AKA: McCue) without incident.

The victim said he and his girlfriend have had their vehicles damaged and prowled recently so he decided to sleep on his couch with the hope of possibly catching the person(s). He heard a noise outside and went to investigate. As he walked out of residence, he noticed the door of his vehicle open and Marcotte inside. He grabbed a bat and ran after Marcotte who had fled. Once Marcotte stopped running and laid down on the ground, the victim waited for Deputies to arrive.

Marcotte was in possession of a knife but it was never used or displayed during the incident.

After Marcotte was advised of his rights, he stated he’s an addict, having difficulties in his life and was looking for money.

Marcotte was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Vehicle Prowling 2nd Degree.

Male Contacted for Pedestrian Violation and Found to have Warrants - Claims the Jeans Aren’t His when Meth is Found

A male contacted by a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy early this morning was found to have three active warrants for his arrest. When Methamphetamine was found during a search of his pockets, the male claimed the jeans he was wearing weren’t his.
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On January 17, 2019, just after 3:00 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Mitchell Othmer observed a male, wearing a black/red coat and blue jeans, cross Francis just west of Addison without using the crosswalk at the corner and in violation of the no pedestrian crossing signs posted on both side of Francis.

Deputy Othmer contacted the male, later identified as 32-year-old March Majmeto, in the 300 block of E. Francis and explained why he was being stopped. Majmeto stated he didn’t have identification and verbally provided his name and date of birth. He also told Deputy Othmer he had a warrant for arrest and had been trying to get it recalled.

A check of Majmeto’s name revealed three valid warrants for Trespassing. After Majmeto was handcuffed and advised he was under arrest for the warrants, Deputy Othmer located a clear plastic bag, containing a white crystalline substance, in the rear pocket of the jeans worn by Majmeto. As Deputy Othmer removed an eyeglass case from the front pants pocket of the jeans, Majmeto stated the jeans weren’t his. Deputy Othmer opened the case and located two additional bags containing a white crystalline substance.

The substances inside the three bags were individually tested and all three showed a presumptive positive result for Methamphetamine.

Majmeto was transported and booked for the warrants (Criminal Trespass 1st Degree & two Criminal Trespass 2nd Degree) and a new charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine. He was also issued an infraction/ticket for Pedestrian Crossing at other than Crosswalk. (RCW 46.61.240)

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.240

Pursuit Safely Ended with PIT Maneuver - K9 Bane Locates 2 of 3 Occupants after They Flee on Foot

Spokane Valley Deputies quickly and safely ended a pursuit using a PIT maneuver. The three occupants of the vehicle ignored commands to stop and fled on foot. K9 Bane located the two passengers who were arrested and booked into jail. A stolen firearm and Methamphetamine were recovered later in the morning. The driver’s identity is believed to be known and his location sought as SVIU Detectives continue to investigate.
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On January 16, 2019, at approximately 12:30 a.m., two Spokane Valley Deputies in a fully marked patrol car noticed a red Hyundai traveling north on Progress in the middle of the roadway as it approached Sprague.

Deputy Stephan Blaakman activated his emergency lights and soon after, his siren to conduct a traffic stop on Progress near Valley Way. The driver failed to stop and immediately began to increase speed as Deputy Joseph Wallace began checking the vehicle’s history on a mobile data computer. Deputy Wallace noticed 26-year-old Gunnar M. Doughty had been contacted several times in the vehicle. A check of Doughty’s name revealed a possible warrant for his arrest and he showed to be armed with a pistol in the past. Deputy Wallace notified dispatch of the pursuit, initiating the assistance of several additional patrol units. The driver continued his attempt to evade the Deputies, ignoring the stop sign at Broadway. He began to recklessly swerve across the entire roadway and ignored another stop sign as he turned west on Mission.

As the vehicle approached the intersection of Mission and Burns, it began to slow. Believing the driver, who had already demonstrated a complete lack of regard for the safety of the public, the occupants of the vehicle and the Deputies involved, intended to turn south on Burns into a residential area, the Deputies decided to attempt a PIT maneuver to safely end the pursuit. With the intersection completely clear of vehicle and pedestrian traffic, Deputy Blaakman began to move his patrol car into position. As he did, the driver looked over his shoulder at the patrol car and suddenly swerved into it, causing the suspect vehicle to spin before stopping.

Deputy Blaakman stopped the patrol car and both Deputies drew their weapons as they exited their vehicle and began to give commands while all three occupants jumped out of the suspect vehicle, ignored the Deputies’ commands and fled on foot in multiple directions.

Assisting Deputies including K9 Units quickly set up a perimeter and began giving multiple K9 announcements advising the suspects to surrender or a K9 would be used to locate them and they might be bitten.

With probable cause to arrest all three occupants and not knowing if they were armed, Deputy Clay Hilton and his partner K9 Bane began a track in the direction where two of the suspects fled. K9 Bane alerted on a black slipper on Burns and continued to track south before turning east where he tracked along the south wall of a residence, alerting on a second black slipper. K9 Bane continued to lead Deputies to the east where he alerted on a white tennis shoe. K9 Bane immediately jumped a 4’ chain-link fence in the 1200 block of N. Burns.

In the backyard, K9 Bane’s behavior changed. Seeing this, Deputy Hilton gave two additional and loud K9 announcements. With no response, K9 Bane began to track again. While attempting to clear under the porch, K9 Bane ran up onto the porch and around a refrigerator where he made contact with a female who was attempting to hide. The female, later identified as 27-year-old Alyssa L. Pakootas, was taken into custody and provided medical attention before being transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail.

After Pakootas was secured, Deputy Hilton gave several more K9 announcements before continuing the search. K9 Bane tracked along the fence line and showed a change of behavior along the north fence. Deputy Hilton repositioned K9 Bane to the white tennis shoe he had located earlier. K9 Bane worked southbound on Burns and appeared to lose the track. After repositioning again, K9 Bane immediately placed his nose to the ground, tracking north toward another fence line and east on Mission. Deputy Hilton gave additional K9 announcements which went unanswered.

Searching in the backyard of a residence located in the 14900 block of E. Mission, Deputy Hilton noted a change in K9 Bane’s behavior. K9 Bane jumped off a stoop into a 2’ opening between the stoop and the fence where he alerted on another white tennis shoe. K9 Bane ran around the stoop to the other side and around a BBQ. Deputy Hilton shined his flashlight to illuminate the area by the BBQ in addition to the porch light and didn’t observe anyone hiding. K9 Bane moved forward, sticking his head between the BBQ shelf and the wall, making contact with a male who was attempting to hide. The male, later identified as 26-year-old Gunnar M. Doughty, was taken into custody and provided medical attention.

Air 1 and an additional K9 attempted to locate the driver but were unsuccessful.

Doughty was determined to be the front passenger of the vehicle. He later told Deputy Hilton he heard the K9 announcements and saw Air 1 overhead but he continued to hide because he didn’t want to go back to jail and he just wanted to see his children.

Pakootas, determined to be the backseat passenger, later told Deputy Hilton she didn’t hear the K9 announcement but she did see Air 1 overhead. She did observe K9 Bane searching the area and heard Deputy Hilton working with him before K9 Bane located her.

The vehicle was seized pending a search warrant. The vehicle did not show as a reported stolen but attempts to determine the owner were unsuccessful. A pistol believed to have been discarded by Doughty as he ran was later determined to be stolen. Methamphetamine along with several additional items believed to be stolen were located inside the vehicle.

Spokane Valley Investigative Unit Detectives continue to work to identify the owners and potential victims of the property. Detectives believe they know the identity of the driver and they continue to locate him.

Pakootas was booked into jail for Obstructing and Resisting Arrest and an additional charge of Possession of Methamphetamine is expected. Doughty was booked into jail for Obstructing, Resisting Arrest and a Theft warrant. An additional charge of Possession of a Stolen Firearm is expected.

The driver faces potential charges of Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Obstructing and Resisting Arrest.

This is an active and ongoing investigation, additional charges are possible.

Vehicle/Pedestrian Crash on W. Silver Lake Road Turns Fatal

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Investigators were called to the scene of a pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle, last Friday evening. The adult female pedestrian was transported to the hospital where she later died from her injuries. The driver of the vehicle, who called and reported the incident, stayed at the scene and was cooperative during the investigation.
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On January 11, 2019, at approximately 8:20 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the area of W. Silver Lake Road near Granite Lake Road for the report of an injury vehicle/pedestrian collision.

Deputies learned the adult female was being treated at the scene and was transported to the hospital for what appeared to be life-threatening injuries. The adult male driver remained at the scene after he reported the collision.

Spokane County Traffic Unit Investigators responded to continue the investigation.

From the evidence recovered at the scene and with the information learned during interviews, Investigators believe the female was walking to the east in the roadway on W. Silver Lake Road. The driver of the involved pickup truck was traveling east on W. Silver Lake Road, in between W. Granite Lake Road and the northbound curve of W. Silver Lake Road when the collision occurred.

The driver, who had been evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Deputy and found not to be impaired, stated he was traveling eastbound on W. Silver Lake Road as a vehicle traveling west approached him. Just after the vehicle passed, he observed something in his lane of travel and swerved into the westbound lane in an attempt to avoid a collision but struck something as he passed. He stopped and turned around to search, locating the female lying in the ditch on the side of the roadway. He called 911 immediately and reported the collision.

Investigators, looking into the history of the female, found several complaints in the last couple of years where she was reported to have been in or around traffic while reportedly being possibly high or intoxicated. While processing the scene for evidence, they located broken pieces of the involved vehicle in close proximity to where the female was discovered. With this small area of debris, coupled with the damage to the vehicle and other factual indicators observed, they believe the driver of the vehicle was not traveling at excess speeds.

The rural and very dark roadway, along with the headlight of a vehicle traveling westbound, investigators believe the driver was unable to see the pedestrian, who was wearing dark colored clothing, in time to avoid the collision.

Investigators were informed the pedestrian succumbed to her injuries at the hospital on January 12, 2019, at approximately 2:50 a.m. and was pronounced deceased.

The driver has not been charged with a crime however the investigation into the fatal incident continues. Investigators are asking anyone who was travelling on W. Clear Lake Road near W. Granite Lake Road on Friday evening between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 8:20 p.m. who may have witnessed the female walking in the area to call Corporal Jeff Welton at 509-477-3237, reference 10005160.

*** Pedestrians/Bicycles, please remember it is extremely difficulty for drivers to see you depending on the weather, roadway conditions, other vehicles and hours of darkness, especially if you are wearing dark clothing. Wearing reflective clothing, lights/blinking strobes or at a minimum, carrying a flashlight to help drivers see you may save you from serious injury/death. ***

SIRR Team Investigating January 7, 2019, Officer Involved Shooting

The Spokane Investigative Regional Response Team (SIRR) is investigating the Officer Involved Shooting Incident involving a Spokane Police Officer that occurred on January 7th in the city of Spokane.
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At approximately 10:30 p.m., Spokane Police Officers responded to a residence in the 600 block of West Montgomery. The caller stated a neighbor was outside shooting at her/others inside the residence. She provided a description of the adult white male suspect, later identified as 35-year-old David M. Novak.

Spokane Police Officers arrived in the area within minutes and soon after at least one Officer advised dispatch of hearing a gunshot, possibly from a shotgun. Moments later, Officers confronted Novak who was by a pickup truck parked in the driveway of his residence and advised, via the radio, “shots fired”.

Radio traffic from the Officers at the scene indicated they believed Novak had a firearm but it was unknown if he dropped it prior to retreating into his residence. Not knowing if Novak was injured or armed, Officers continued to give commands while other Officers evacuated neighboring residences or advised citizens to shelter in place for their safety.

With additional Officers and equipment on scene, Officers approached Novak’s residence with the aid of an Armored Tactical Rescue Vehicle. They observed Novak, who did not appear to be moving, lying on the ground near the doorway. Officers, along with Spokane Fire Department’s Rescue Task Force medics, approached the home and immediately began life-saving efforts. Despite these efforts, Novak was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Officer Involved Protocol was enacted. The SIRR Team responded to the scene to conduct an investigation and process the scene for evidence.

The victims of the residence, where the original 911 call was placed, stated Novak, who appeared intoxicated, walked over and contacted them while they stood outside in front of the residence. As they talked, Novak began using racial slurs toward the three men and stated several times he was a “KKK’ member. Novak grabbed one of the victims and brought his other arm back as if he intended to punch the male. The victim broke free of the Novak’s grasp and told him to leave the property. Novak walked back toward his residence threatening he was going to shoot/kill the men, while using additional racial slurs. The victims went inside, armed themselves, and called 911.

SIRR Investigators located a silver and black aluminum baseball bat near the pickup truck where Novak was contacted. The vehicle appeared to have damage consistent to being struck several times with a bat. A firearm was not recovered from the scene.

Investigators continue to interview witness and involved Officers as they work to determine the facts of what occurred, leading up to this fatal encounter. SIRR Team members are asking anyone who may have heard, witnessed, or may have security video of this incident, to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 if they have not been contacted by investigators.

The SIRR Team is comprised of multiple agencies in eastern Washington, including the Spokane County Sheriff's Office, the Washington State Patrol, the Spokane Valley Police Department, the Airway Heights Police Department and the Spokane Police Department.

• The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office is the managing agency in this incident. All future communications on this incident will be sent via the SIRR Team.

• The Spokane Police Department will release the names of the officers involved in this incident.

• Once the SIRR Team investigation is complete the case will be forwarded to the Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office for review.