Judge set bail at $30,000 for man who eluded police in parking garage

A man who led police on a chase in The Coeur d’Alene Resort parking garage before fleeing from police and resisting an officer is in jail facing a felony charge.

A judge ordered Tuesday that Gary Buck Barnett, 38, be held on $30,000 bail.

He faces a felony count of malicious injury to property and misdemeanors including DUI, resisting and obstructing police, and reckless driving. Barnett also was cited for urinating in public.

Police said Barnett was racing around The Coeur d’Alene Resort grounds in a red Dodge pickup truck Monday evening. Witnesses reported the pickup was squealing its tires, fishtailing and almost running people over, according to a police report.

The pickup drove into the parking garage. When police arrived the pickup revved its engine and appeared ready to ram the exit gate, but officers stopped Barnett, who at first looked like he would talk with police. He then fled up the ramp with officers in pursuit.

Police said Barnett left more than 800 feet of rubber tire marks as he fled up the ramp in the red Dodge, stopping one floor from the top level.

From the top of the garage police saw Barnett — who probably took an elevator to the ground floor — walking across The Resort grounds, where more police confronted Barnett. He refused to be detained, police said, and was taken to the ground and handcuffed. He was booked about 9 p.m.

Police said another person may have been in the pickup with Barnett, but the passenger was not located.

Police measured 863 feet of rubber tire burn marks, and prosecutors said Barnett rammed his pickup into security posts. Damages were estimated at more than $3,000, according to a report.

Defense attorneys said Barnett has lived in Coeur d’Alene for 38 years and that he was recently laid off from his job. They requested no more than $5,000 bail.

Barnett’s next hearing will be in 14 days if he remains in jail and 21 days if he posts bail.