Washington fugitive arrested in Hayden

Law enforcement arrested a man in Hayden Thursday morning who was wanted in connection to an incident that left an Airway Heights police officer injured.

Jesse J. Brebner, 32, of St. Maries, reportedly escaped the Washington State Department of Corrections in early April. Airway Heights police sought the public’s help in locating Brebner, calling him a person of interest in an assault on an officer.

Coeur d’Alene police and Kootenai County deputies contacted Brebner early Thursday in the area of Highway 95 and Hayden Avenue, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Brebner allegedly used his vehicle to ram other vehicles, as well as well as the Exxon building, causing damage.

Police deployed “less-lethal force” to arrest Brebner, which Lt. Zack Sifford described as force that doesn’t cause serious injury or death. Though he couldn’t comment on the specific techniques used during Brebner’s arrest, Sifford said examples of less-lethal force are stun guns, baton strikes and pepper spray.

Brebner is charged with three counts of battery on a police officer as well as malicious injury to property, grand theft by possession and eluding. He also faces charges for his outstanding warrants in Washington.

He remains in Kootenai County Jail on $250,000 bail.