High speed chase results in tense standoff
SPOKANE, Wash. — A man led Washington State Patrol on a wild chase Tuesday night, that resulted in a standoff involving members of WSP, Spokane Police and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department.
Shortly before 8:00 p.m. a WSP trooper observed a dark-colored pickup truck driving erratically and speeding near milepost 171 on southbound US 395. WSP later identified the driver as 38-year-old James Wheatley.
The trooper signaled for Wheatley to pull over, but he did not, instead leading troopers on a chase.
SCSO helped by deploying spikes. Wheatley hit them, but kept going.
His truck finally stopped at Division and Lyons, but Wheatley then refused to get out of the car, sparking a standoff with police during which Wheatley yelled at officers, made gestures and threw objects out his window.
A BearCat and additional officers were called in, as law enforcement tried to negotiate with Wheatley.
Shortly before 10:00 p.m., officers broke the back window of the truck, and threw CS gas inside. Wheatley screamed, but pulled himself halfway out of his driver’s side window. Officer moved in and took him into custody.
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