(STORY IMAGE:KHQ.COM)
SPOKANE, Wash. -Spokane Police arrested a violent felon Friday night after a crash and a foot pursuit.
Washington State Patrol attempted to stop a car that didn't have taillights Friday night, but the suspect didn't pull over. Police gave chase briefly, but had to call off the pursuit because of danger to the other motorists on the road. A short time later, the suspect crashed into another driver and took off on foot. Police say the driver involved in the crash sustained head injuries.
Spokane Police Officers responded to help WSP, including Officer Belitz and his K9 partner Zeus. A search of the suspect's car found an AK-47 rifle with a pistol grip handle and a Glock handgun with an attached 50 round drum magazine on the driver's-side floorboard. There was also a duffel bag full of ammo and rifle magazines on the passenger-side floorboard.
The suspect ran into a residential area of north Spokane. Patrol officers saw the man running, but lost sight of him. K9 Zeus and Officer Belitz tracked the man for about a mile and were eventually flagged down by a neighbor in the area of 4800 N. Post who said someone just broke into his house and was hiding in his basement. He said his grandkids were in the basement at the time.
Officers immediately entered the basement and found the suspect. They were able to arrest him without incident and no one inside the home was injured.
The suspect was a convicted felon for unlawful possession of a firearm. He was booked into jail on multiple felony charges.