Vehicle theft suspect tailed, then arrested

POST FALLS - A 23-year-old Springdale, Wash., man was arrested Saturday morning after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a Post Falls home.

Aaron Woodward was booked into the Kootenai County jail for grand theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of a controlled substance. He was also cited for driving without privileges.

Police received a report at 6:16 a.m. that a gray Ford F250 truck had been stolen from 304 W. 14th Ave., and that the homeowner was following the suspect.

"(The vehicle owner) informed me he had started his truck ... and went back inside while it was warming up," the officer wrote in her report. "(The owner) heard the truck squeal off and he quickly got into his car to follow the suspect."

Woodward stopped near the Medicine Man pharmacy on Medical Court off Idaho Street, fled on foot and was detained by officers in a wooded area, according to police. The suspect complied with an officer's orders to get on the ground, police said.

The vehicle owner instructed police on where Woodward allegedly stopped.

Woodward told police that he didn't drive away in somebody's truck, but he "found" the truck behind a building.

Syringes were found in a jacket that Woodward had thrown off in the wooded area, police said. Also located were 11 keys to multiple makes of vehicles, burglary tools and a stolen driver's license.

Police said it appeared Woodward was under the influence of a narcotic substance.

"Aaron was unable to keep still, then he would appear as if he had passed out, then he was alert again and unable to control his movements," the officer wrote, adding that multiple "track marks," apparently from using syringes, were also located on his wrists.

Woodward was evaluated both on scene by medics and by the officer en route to the jail.