Man Found On Roof On Spokane's Lower South Hill After Police Cha - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Man Found On Roof On Spokane's Lower South Hill After Police Chase

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SPOKANE, Wash. - A police chase early Thursday morning ended on the lower South Hill. One person is in custody. A police officer tried to pull over a car around 3 Thursday morning but the car would not stop. After a short chase, the police officer decided to stop the chase because it was too dangerous. However, another officer found the car and chased it to 5th and Cedar. 

The suspect car stopped and the driver ran off. Police used their K-9 unit and found the man on a roof nearby. There was a passenger as well. Police arrested the driver for possession of a stolen car and attempting to elude police.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPT:  On March 14th, at approximately 3:00 am, Officer Scott Lesser was patrolling the downtown area focusing on vehicle thefts and vehicle prowlers.   

Officer Lesser spotted a white Honda Accord driving very recklessly through the downtown area; speeding, running red lights, and cutting off other cars.  When Officer Lesser attempted to stop the car, it sped up in an attempt to get away. 

In running the license plate, it was discovered that the car was reported as stolen. Officer Lesser continued to pursue the car, but the suspect driver's actions became so dangerous that the pursuit was terminated. When Officer Lesser terminated the pursuit, he saw the car continue west on 5th and then crash into a parked car at Cedar. 

Officer Lesser attempted to pursue the driver on foot, but lost him in a nearby alley.  Corporal Gordon Ennis also responded and chased and caught a female passenger that ran.  When the suspect driver ran, he did not put the car into park and it rolled down a hill, striking Corporal Ennis' car.  No one was injured in either crash.

K-9 Officer Craig Hamilton and his K-9 Leonidas responded to track the driver who had fled.  Leonidas located the suspect driver hiding on the roof of a garage approximately one block away, where he was arrested without incident.

The suspect driver was identified as Tyler J. Sijohn, a 22 year old male from Spokane. He was arrested for Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, DUI, Driving with a Suspended License, and Obstructing. 

A female passenger, Melissa L. Racine, a 21 year old transient was also arrested for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The Spokane Police Department is committed to making downtown Spokane safe for everyone at all hours of the day and night.