It's prison for thief who eluded police

COEUR d’ALENE — A man who eluded police in a stolen Jeep last winter when it was struck by a train north of Rathdrum was sentenced to two years in prison for two felonies.

Michael W. Coniconde, 33, was sentenced in Coeur d’Alene’s First District Court to two concurrent sentences of between two and five years in prison for charges of eluding Idaho State and Rathdrum police and placing an obstruction on railroad tracks, both felonies.

Coniconde was driving a stolen red Jeep Cherokee Nov. 12 near Rathdrum when he led police on a wild chase through a rural neighborhood, a forested grove and eventually onto North Atlas Road, according to police reports.

A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train struck the Jeep on the left rear fender while it was in a ravine near an access road, police said.

Police said Coniconde had pushed the Jeep onto the railroad tracks south of Diagonal Road, and left it there while fleeing on foot.

“It was clear … that the Jeep was intentionally pushed, or was driven over the edge of the ravine down onto the railroad tracks prior to the collision,” according to investigators.

After inspecting the inside of the Jeep, detectives “could find no evidence that it was occupied prior to the collision with the train,” state police Det. Gary L. Tolleson wrote in a report.

In addition to the two felonies, Coniconde, in separate cases, faced other charges including drug charges, evidence destruction and battery. He pleaded guilty to the two felonies as part of a plea agreement.

Eluding carries a maximum five years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Coniconde spent 8 months in Kootenai County Jail prior to his Aug. 17 sentencing.