Chase suspect eludes police

POST FALLS — A male suspect eluded police following an early-morning vehicle chase in the Post Falls area on Friday.

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, the man was driving a red Ford Expedition southbound on Pleasant View Road at Prairie Avenue at 12:28 a.m. when a deputy attempted to pull him over for speeding.

"The SUV driver crossed Poleline before ditching the vehicle in the area of Elk and Kenneth (west of Corbin Road and north of Seltice Way)," KCSO Lt. Stu Miller said.

Miller declined to say who the suspect is.

"We've got some good investigative leads, but we're not putting that out yet due to the active investigation," Miller said.

The male ran into an apartment complex off Siony Lane, but law enforcement was unable to locate the suspect after that, Miller said.

Duco, a Post Falls Police K-9, was called upon for the search.

"A Post Falls Police officer last observed the suspect jumping a fence, but the (K-9) track was not successful," Miller said.

A containment search for the suspect was also set up by law enforcement.

The suspect may have escaped into a residence in the area, according to Post Falls Police.

The PFPD officer described the suspect as a white male who was wearing a straw hat. No further description was available.

The KCSO impounded the Expedition the suspect was driving. Miller said he didn't know if the license plates were issued in Kootenai County based on the preliminary information that he had available.

Those with information are urged to contact the KCSO at 446-1300.