Post Falls man arrested in Arizona

The southwest desert gets hot.

Now, a Post Falls man is accused of trying to cheat to beat the heat.

Anthony Thompson, 40, of Post Falls, is in the Coconino County Detention Facility in Flagstaff. He’s charged with possession of a stolen vehicle and uttering a forged instrument, which is Arizona legalspeak that translated into trying to purchase something with counterfeit money.

On June 11, Thompson allegedly pulled a Harley-Davidson motorcycle into a Circle K convenience store in Williams, a town 30 miles west of Flagstaff, where police officials say he purchased gasoline and Gatorade, offering a fake $20 as payment. Circle K employees promptly notified local authorities.

“Circle K informed us he left on motorcycle,” Williams Police Department Lt. Darrell Hixson said. “They also notified a van had followed the suspect.”

The town of Williams, population 3,100, interacts with local authorities with what Hixson called a Code Red system. All local businesses were given Thompson’s description, as well as the description of the fake $20s. An employee from a local tavern notified the police department that they spotted someone matching Thompson’s description nearby. Chief Herman Nixon then attempted to pull Thompson over, but the suspect fled.

“We pursued him through the city,” Hixson said. “He got away from us for a minute, dumped the Harley and ran to the nearby Safeway.”

Police found Thompson in the van they believe followed Thompson away from the Circle K earlier in the day. Thompson was walking toward the van when he was arrested, and his alleged accomplice sitting in the van, Samantha Bonner, was arrested, as well.

The Harley was reported stolen in Idaho.

Hixson said the van had plates registered to a different vehicle.

Two kayaks tethered to the top of the van were reported stolen from a nearby campground.

Bonner was booked into Coconino County Detention. Thompson, on the other hand, complained of chest pain at the scene. He was taken to Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was treated and released back into police custody. While under medical observation, Thompson allegedly passed counterfeit bills at the hospital cafeteria.

In September 2018, Kootenai County deputies arrested Thompson — marking his 21st booking in the county jail — on a charge of possessing stolen property.

“He made his first appearance in court,” Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney Barry McHugh said. “Then, in October, he asked for a continuance, and to be released [on his own recognizance], which we objected to. Vehemently.”

Thompson’s motion was granted, at which point he allegedly fled the jurisdiction, eventually winding up in Arizona. He is currently being held without bond, as outstanding warrants in Idaho and Washington require he remain in custody as extradition is worked out.

“We’re going to do our job,” McHugh said, “and hope, in the end, the results will affect a change in his behavior.”