Chief chases down suspect

COEUR d’ALENE — First and foremost he’s a police chief, but he’s a runner, too.

Experienced marathoner and Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo outran a suspect Tuesday afternoon, capturing the alleged crook following foot pursuit that went for several blocks.

Daniel W. Bisher, 35, of Spokane, was booked in Kootenai County jail on two counts of stolen property, and one count each of unlawful possession of firearm, concealing a dangerous weapon, possession of drug and drug paraphernalia, obstructing and giving false information to an officer and driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Bisher’s bond is $250,000.

“Chief Longo is not only an excellent manager and leader, but he is and always will be a street patrolman at heart,” Police Cpt. Steve Childers said in a press release.

The sprint started near the Tire-Rama business at 200 W. Appleway Ave. before 4 p.m. when Longo and officer Hank Dunham responded to a report of a stolen motorcycle.

The suspect fled as officers approached, and ran south on Government Way, through a vacant field, past the Carl Jr.’s restaurant at 106 E. Appleway Ave., to the entrance way of Hastings Books at 101 E. Best Ave.

During the pursuit, Dunham and other officers split up to try and intercept the fleeing suspect, but Longo, with nearly 30 completed marathons to his credit, stayed on his trail.

Twice during the pursuit Bisher stopped momentarily and appeared to reach into the front of his jacket while Longo, his weapon drawn, ordered him to surrender.

“I’m not going to jail,” Bisher reportedly yelled during the stops, before running off again.

As Longo gained ground, Dunham intercepted the pursuit, and both policemen “physically” apprehended Bisher near Hastings, the press release states.

A loaded 40-caliber glock was found in the front area of Bisher’s jacket after he was taken into custody, and a knife was found concealed in a pants pocket.

The motorcycle Bisher had been riding was reportedly stolen out of Spokane, and the handgun was reportedly stolen out of Coeur d’Alene, according to the press release.

Longo was unavailable for comment Wednesday afternoon, but in other Press stories about his jogging, he said he began running recreationally in 1983.

“It reduces stress,” he said in a 2009 article. “I never thought my running would go the way that it’s gone. I consider myself a lazy person.”

He regularly runs in Bloomsday, and competes in the annual two-day, 15-city, 185-mile “Spokane to Sandpoint” Scenic Relay Race that begins atop Mount Spokane and finishes in Sandpoint.