Fugitive arrested after alleged drug deal goes bad

HAYDEN — Three local residents, including a man wanted for burglary and grand theft, were arrested after an alleged botched drug deal involving bear spray in Hayden.

Cole E. Wyant, 23, Coeur d'Alene, was arrested on the warrant and for possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia with intent to use. He was being held at the Kootenai County jail on Wednesday on a $60,300 bond.

Wyant's friend, Tamara D. Mobeck, 21, Hauser Lake, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, harboring a fugitive, frequenting a location where drugs are used and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. She was released from jail after posting a $20,600 bond.

Another friend, Cody R. Smotherman, 22, Rathdrum, was being held at the jail on Wednesday on two counts of aggravated battery, robbery and possession of a controlled substance on $20,000 bond.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to a reported battery near the intersection of Prairie Avenue and Marabou Drive in Hayden on Saturday.

Mobeck said she and Wyant had picked up Smotherman from the Hayden Holiday gas station so they could get "high," a KCSO press release states. Just west of the gas station, Wyant pulled his car to the side of the road where he allegedly handed Smotherman heroin.

Smotherman, while seated in the back of the car, then allegedly sprayed Wyant with bear spray and fled the car instead of paying him for the drugs. When the deputies arrived, they found both Wyant and Mobeck suffering the effects of the bear spray.

Wyant was treated at the scene and was subsequently arrested.

Smotherman was located on Monday during an unrelated traffic stop. After being questioned, he was arrested on the charges.