KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Thief arrested following brief stand off

Thief arrested following brief stand off

SPOKANE, Wash. - A 31-year-old thief learned all about police K-9s Wednesday evening when he attempted to hide in a Millwood home to escape pursuing sheriff's deputies.

Christopher Schilling was taken into custody by sheriff's K-9 "Gordy" about 4:40 p.m. and was later booked into the Spokane County Jail on felony counts of Residential Burglary, Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Schilling entered the home in the 3000 block of North Stout attempting to avoid capture. The sheriff' deputy had spotted the suspect driving a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle recklessly at about 4 p.m.

When a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop Schilling, the suspect took off, but quickly wrecked the bike in Millwood Park. 

The deputy pursued the suspect on foot, but Schilling entered the home on Stout without the owner's permission and hid within. Additional deputies and Spokane Valley Police arrived and quickly contained the house. 

The homeowner said the suspect had no permission to be inside the home. She gave deputies permission to enter, but cautioned that there were shotguns and a pistol stored in the basement.

The homeowner believed there was no ammunition for the firearms, but deputies opted to use a K-9 officer to reduce the risk.

After the homeowner's three dogs were accounted for and separated, Gordy was released into the home. He located and quickly controlled the fugitive Schilling.

The suspect was checked by paramedics for his bite injuries, and then was transported to the Spokane County Jail for booking on the felony charges.

Deputies determined the Suzuki motorcycle was stolen from a Spokane City resident in September of 2008. Additional criminal charges are expected in that matter as well.

Deputies found a backpack dropped by Schilling and found a black airsoft pistol inside.

No stranger to the Spokane County criminal justice system, Schilling has previous convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, attempting to elude a police vehicle, second-degree burglary, possession of controlled substance and second-degree theft.

No deputies were injured in the pursuit, chase and arrest.