Spokane County Sheriff's deputies, while looking for a wanted suspect, ended up recovering a reported stolen vehicle instead and arresting two of the four people in the car for warrants and new charges. The original wanted suspect was not found.
It happened Monday morning just before 6 a.m. Deputy Garrett Spencer was searching for a suspect believed to be in the area of the 4600 block of S. Cheatham Road when he spotted a red Toyota Tercel with a headlight out.
Deputy Spencer and Deputy Lorenz Mina caught up with the Toyota as it pulled into the driveway of a house known for criminal activity. After informing dispatch of the vehicle license plate and their location, dispatch advised the vehicle had been reported stolen. The driver went through a gate and up the driveway and initially didn't stop for the deputies' lights, but yielded when the siren was used.
The driver, later identified as 28-year-old Marshall L. Fields, waived his rights and agreed to answer questions. He told deputies he had purchased the vehicle a day ago from a woman for $400. He was not able to provide a bill of sale, and a shaved key, which are commonly used to steal cars, was found in the ignition. The Toyota was reported stolen on Friday. A check of Marshall's name showed multiple active warrants for his arrest.
The front passenger, identified as John P. Liberty, also agreed to answer questions after waiving his rights. Liberty said he was only getting a ride from Marshall and didn't know the car was stolen. During a frisk for weapons, Deputy Mina found a set of brass knuckles and two double edged blades on a chain. Liberty told the deputies he didn't know brass knuckles were illegal. He called the two knives "nunchucks" and said he had them because they were scary to people.
A check of Liberty's name found an active bench warrant for his arrest.
During a search of the car, deputies found a stolen driver's license as well as tools for vehicle prowling.
Two other people in the car were released from the scene and not charged.
Marshall and Liberty were booked into Spokane County Jail. During intake, a corrections officer found a small baggie that field tested positive for methamphetamine in Marshall's pocket.
Marshall was charged with Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, Possession of Another’s Identification, Making/Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools and his warrants for Theft and three counts of Trespassing 1st Degree.
Liberty was charged with Possession of a Dangerous Weapon and his bench warrant.
(story & image: KHQ.com)