A 42-year-old man was arrested for vehicle prowling and obstructing after neighbors called deputies to report the man strolling around an apartment complex peering into windows, and actually got into one of the parked cars.
Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning, Deputy Walton responded to the vehicle prowling call at the complex in the 11900 block of E. Mansfield, a few blocks west of Pines, in Spokane Valley. Walton spoke with three people who witnessed the suspect, later identified as Kenneth R. Smith, enter the parking lot and walk vehicle to vehicle looking in windows. Witnesses confronted Smith, but he didn't respond and walked off toward the pool area.
Deputy Walton walked through the complex and found Smith standing between two vehicles. The deputy walked toward him, and he immediately became upset, turned toward Deputy Walton, put his hands in the air and yelled, "What?"
Deputy Walton identified himself and explained to Smith that he was being detained. The deputy told Smith to turn away from him, but Smith refused, squared his body and raised his hands in what appeared to be a fighting stance. Smith was told several more times to turn around and he refused.
Believing Smith was about to fight him, Walton called for backup and attempted to turn Smith around and detain him. Smith resisted and took swings at the deputies face and head. The deputy was eventually able to get Smith on the ground and responding deputies helped get Smith in handcuffs and in the back of a patrol car.
After Smith was advised of his rights, he said he didn't know why he decided to fight the deputy.
Smith was booked into the Spokane County Jail for 2nd degree vehicle prowling and obstructing.
(story & image: KHQ.com)