A wanted man's attempt to run and hide was ultimately unsuccessful after K9 Bane found him hiding in a nearby backyard Monday afternoon.
Around 4:40 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Clay Hilton saw a man walking down the side of the road near 2nd and Dearborn in Spokane Valley. Hilton recognized the man as 26-year-old Ronald A. Weiker, who Hilton believed had a DOC warrant for his arrest. When the deputy turned his patrol car around to talk to Weiker, he took off running north on Dearborn and went into the back yard of a house in the 4500 block of E. 2nd, where he's been known to sleep.
Weiker's name was checked through dispatch and the felony warrant for his arrest was confirmed. Additional deputies were called to set up a perimeter and help search for Weiker.
Deputy Hilton contacted the residents of the home and explained that he saw Weiker run into their back yard and asked for consent to search. They gave consent and said no one should be in their yard.
Several loud K9 announcements were given, letting Weiker know that if he didn't surrender, a K9 would be used to find him and he could get bitten. Weiker ignored the announcements and didn't surrender.
Deputy Hilton released his partner, K9 Bane, he began searching the yard. K9 Bane's behavior changed as he approached several stacks of tires near a makeshift plywood wall. Hilton gave another K9 announcement, which again went unanswered. K9 Bane suddenly jumped on top of the stack of tires and disappeared on the other side, making contact with Weiker.
Now compliant, Weiker followed commands and was taken into custody without further incident. He was provided medical attention before he was taken to jail and booked for the felony warrant and a new charge of resisting arrest.
Later, Weiker told deputies he initially ran because he knew he had a warrant for his arrest and didn't hear the K9 announcements. He did see K9 bane through the tires, but said he thought if he didn't move, he could hide.
(story: Matt Pusatory, KHQ Local News Web Producer; photo: Spokane County Sheriff's Office)