Off-duty detective catches suspect during foot chase

POST FALLS — An off-duty Idaho State Police detective assisted during the arrest of a Montana man who allegedly attempted to escape Post Falls Police officers during a shoplifting call on Friday.

Dakota James McClanahan, 19, of Butte, Mont., was arrested for burglary, resisting and obstructing.

"Several citizens attempted to assist by running toward the suspect and an ISP detective was able to take him to the ground and maintain control of him until Post Falls officers got to him a few seconds later," Post Falls Police Detective Dave Beck said.

Police responded to the Walmart near the state line around 4 p.m. for a shoplifting call involving a suspect with a weapon.

A man matching the description of the suspect was exiting the building, and officers ordered him to remove his hands from his pockets and put his hands behind his back.

McClanahan initially complied, told officers he didn't steal anything, then resisted being handcuffed, according to police. The struggle lasted for about a minute before McClanahan was placed in handcuffs.

When an officer attempted to search McClanahan, the suspect fled southeast through the parking lot.

Several bystanders attempted to assist in catching the male, but were unsuccessful, according to police. After a foot chase that went about a quarter of a mile, an off-duty Idaho State Police detective grabbed McClanahan and took him to the ground.

When McClanahan was warned that a stun gun would be applied if he did not comply with commands, he surrendered.

Stolen items that were recovered included two knives, a Seattle Seahawks flag and Seahawks stickers.

"He stated that he does not even like the Seahawks and didn't know why he stole those items," Beck said.