Chase suspect arrested

By BRIAN WALKER

Staff Writer

RATHDRUM — A 45-year-old Springdale, Wash., man is accused of leading law enforcement on a vehicle chase after allegedly stealing items from a pole barn in the Rathdrum area.

Jeffery Darwin Williams was being held at the Kootenai County Jail on Saturday on charges of felony eluding, obstructing a deputy, possession of drug paraphernalia and a controlled substance, grand theft and burglary.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call for a burglary in progress at an address on Forestdale Drive around 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday. The address is north of Boekel Road between Meyer and Atlas roads.

"(The reporting party) reported a male entered into her family's pole barn and began taking miscellaneous items and loading them into his gold GMC pickup," KCSO Detective Dennis Stinebaugh said.

As deputies approached the area, the reporting party told deputies that the suspect drove off.

Deputies later found the truck traveling westbound bound on Boekel at Meyer.

"When deputies attempted to stop the truck, it sped off," Stinebaugh said.

Spike strips were deployed during a pursuit, which reached speeds in excess of 80 mph in a 45 mph zone, Stinebaugh said.

"Deputies pursued behind the truck even after its right rear tire was punctured via spike strips," Stinebaugh said.

After the truck entered a subdivision off Legacy Street in Rathdrum, Williams reportedly exited the truck and fled the area on foot.

Deputies later found Williams crossing Highway 41, where he was arrested without further incident.

Williams was allegedly in possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.