Late-night car theft ends in arrest

COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene man was arrested Saturday night after reportedly stealing a vehicle and leading officers on a brief pursuit.

About 11:35 p.m. a 31-year-old female reported her Honda Accord had been stolen from the Red Lobster parking lot at 212 Neider Avenue, according to the Coeur d'Alene Police Department. The female said she had seen the suspect driving eastbound on Neider and turning into the Safeway parking lot at 121 Neider.

An officer arrived in the area and located the Accord in the south parking lot.

Charles C. Petrich, 35, was driving the vehicle, police said.

The officer attempted to stop the vehicle in the Safeway lot, but Petrich drove around to the north side of the business, police said. The Accord then slid into a snowbank and was momentarily high-centered. The officer stopped behind the vehicle and ordered Petrich out.

Petrich refused, continued driving through the lot and turned northbound onto Government Way, police said. With the officer in pursuit, Petrich turned eastbound onto Kathleen Avenue.

As he approached the roundabout at 4th Street, he lost control of the Accord and crashed, police said.

Petrich was taken into custody and transported to Kootenai Medical Center for a medical evaluation. He was treated and released.

Petrich was charged with grand theft (auto), felony eluding, DUI and driving while suspended, police said.