SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County deputies arrested a man after he allegedly stole a truck containing over $1,000 in cash and tried to elude law enforcement during a pursuit.
According to a press release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, on Sept. 7 around noon, Spokane Valley deputies responded to a report from a victim who had tracked their stolen vehicle.
The victim informed deputies that his truck had been stolen the previous night after he dropped it off for service. He also mentioned leaving a large sum of cash inside the truck.
Deputies maintained contact with the victim and located the stolen truck near Bearnard Street and Riverside Avenue. They followed the suspected thief, later identified as Jamze West, 34.
When deputies activated their emergency lights, West looked back at the officers and sped away, reaching speeds of 50 to 60 mph in a posted 35 mph zone. He nearly crashed into another vehicle after running a red light and swerved to avoid a crash, driving toward some trees.
After following a fluid trail, deputies located the stolen truck in the 800 block of East Boone. Witnesses reported seeing West run south from the parking lot.
Spokane County deputies and police found West near Hamilton Street on the Centennial Trail, where he was taken into custody.
West was transported to the Spokane County Jail, where he was booked for theft of a motor vehicle, second-degree theft, and attempting to elude law enforcement. Officers also recovered over $1,200 in cash that the victim had left inside the truck before it was stolen.
