Woman reportedly hit 80 mph on Gov’t Way in stolen vehicle

A woman who was detained by a police dog after leading officers on a high-speed chase through Coeur d’Alene in a stolen vehicle was back in jail Thursday.

Ashley J. Witte, who faces charges of felony eluding and stealing a vehicle, was re-arrested after her bond was revoked by a Coeur d’Alene judge.

Witte was initially arrested March 21 after police were notified that a woman attempted to steal a black BMW with a For Sale sign that was parked at the Hayden Walmart. The woman couldn’t break into the BMW, a witness said, but the suspect got into a Dodge Durango and emptied the vehicle by tossing out clothing, garbage and a license plate before speeding away.

After learning the car was stolen from a Poleline Road home, deputies pursued the Durango around 7 p.m. that day as it headed south on U.S. 95, but the driver refused to stop, police said.

Deputies said the SUV turned on Dalton Avenue and then traveled south on Government Way to Best Avenue, sometimes traveling at speeds of 80 mph before deputies stopped the Durango on the 900 block of East Best Avenue.

The suspect, Witte, would not follow commands, deputies said, and a police dog was released, jumped through the window of the Durango and apprehended the 24-year-old.

Witte seemed semi-conscious and complained about the dog bite, according to a deputy’s report, but she was unable to communicate with deputies. She lost consciousness and was transported to Kootenai Health.

“She was very delusional,” Deputy John Novak wrote in a report. “She told me she was a meth user … she did not know if she had used today.”

Deputies said Witte had attempted to steal another car along Poleline Road on the same day, jimmied the ignition, and damaged the steering column.

Public defenders asked that Witte be released on her own recognizance so she could enroll in drug treatment, but a Coeur d’Alene magistrate would not let her out of jail.

Magistrate Timothy Van Valin said he would, however, release Witte in May once she has been accepted into a rehabilitation program.

Her arraignment is scheduled May 18 in First District Court.