Standoff results in arrest

WALLACE — After a high-speed pursuit, a wild chase through the streets of Wallace and a tense, armed standoff, a young man was tackled and apprehended by Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office personnel on Friday evening.

According to scanner information and Sgt. Holly Lindsey, a report of a male driving a red Ford Mustang erratically at high speed was received at 4:15 p.m., when the car was traveling eastbound on I-90 near milepost 40. County vehicles spotted the Mustang at milepost 48, Lindsey said, and began pursuit.

Three sheriff’s patrol vehicles and one Forest Service law enforcement officer’s vehicle gave chase, according to Capt. Jeremy Groves. Scanner information reported speeds of up to 120 mph.

The pursuit continued for 12 miles, until Groves deployed tire spikes at milepost 60, just outside Silverton. Hitting the spikes, the swift-moving Mustang blew at least one tire, Lindsey reported, and then exited the highway at milepost 62.

At 4:35 p.m. the Mustang entered Wallace, still very mobile despite its tires. At this point, Lindsey said, the driver of the Mustang began a “wild goose chase” along several Wallace streets. The scanner indicated law enforcement vehicles pursuing the car along Fifth Street, Bank Street, Sixth Street and then Bank again, with officers trying to box the Mustang in.

During the whirlwind chase around Wallace, the Forest Service vehicle inadvertently collided with a sheriff’s office vehicle as the officers attempted to corral the Mustang, authorities noted.

The chase ended when Deputy Dallas Jones, piloting a SCSO Dodge truck, rammed the Mustang on Bank Street, Lindsey said. The sports car struck at least one car parked along the street, and came to a stop outside the Wallace Brewing Company.

Once stopped, the driver of the Mustang pulled out a single-shot shotgun that he had in the car, Groves reported. Officers surrounded the Mustang with guns drawn, and a standoff ensued for about 15 minutes, he said.

Then the suspect exited the Mustang and pointed the gun at his own throat, Lindsey said. Jones approached the man from behind and grabbed the weapon, which fired harmlessly into the air. At the same time Sgt. Derek Dofelmire deployed a Taser on the man, and Groves tackled him to the ground, Lindsey said.

The suspect was handcuffed, placed inside a sheriff’s office vehicle and transported to Shoshone Medical Center, authorities said. He was taken back to the Wallace jail at 6:15 p.m., having sustained no serious injuries.

No officers or civilians were harmed during the incident.

Shoshone County Fire District I personnel were also on-scene in Wallace, to offer emergency aid if needed.

Late Friday, authorities identified the suspect as Andrew Graves, 18, of Spokane.

Idaho State Police is currently handling the damaged law enforcement vehicles. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office is investigating possible criminal charges.

Hagadone News Network reporter Sarah Rose Fredlund also contributed to this report.