Chase suspect in Post Falls arrested while trying to flee home

POST FALLS — A 20-year-old Post Falls man who allegedly led police on a vehicle chase on Thursday was arrested while trying to flee a Post Falls home shortly after the incident.

Caleb Jonathon Schuetz was being held at the Kootenai County Jail on Sunday on a $5,000 bond for eluding, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without privileges. He was also cited for failure to show insurance to police.

An officer noticed Schuetz was driving a 2002 Nissan Maxima with no license plates on Polston Avenue around 4:45 p.m. and attempted to pull him over, according to Post Falls Police reports.

"The driver clearly knew I was there and visibly acknowledged me numerous times," Officer Pat Eismann wrote in his report.

Scheutz allegedly drove on Mullan Avenue, Greensferry Road and Seltice Way without stopping for the officer.

"(While at a stop sign), I attempted to pull the front right of my vehicle into close proximity of the driver's side of the suspect vehicle to try to persuade him to pull over," the report states. "The driver failed to pull over and continued eastbound to the intersection of Highway 41."

Scheutz allegedly drove through a red light at Highway 41 and proceeded northbound at 70 mph in a 35 mph zone, aggressively switching lanes before becoming stuck in traffic.

Eismann exited his patrol car with his gun drawn and approached the suspect vehicle on foot.

"The driver negotiated his way through the traffic, passed me as I was standing in the street," the report states. "(Scheutz) looked directly at me then proceeded northbound before turning eastbound on Mullan Avenue and started up the hill to The Highlands neighborhood (driving at least 70 mph)."

The Maxima was located in a driveway on Glasgow Drive and law enforcement formed a perimeter around the home that was later determined to be owned by Scheutz's grandfather.

Scheutz was seen looking out from a window before ducking down, according to police. The suspect was then detained as he attempted to flee out of the back of the home.

"I was advised by officers on scene that Caleb had indicated he only ran because he did not want his vehicle impounded," Eismann wrote.

The police report stated Scheutz told an officer, "I wasn't trying to run. I was just trying to get here but you guys just kept blocking me."