Wanted felon taken into custody after holding female hostage

A wanted suspect was taken into custody after holding a female against her will inside an apartment.

On April 19 at 11:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a report of a wanted suspect in the 13300 block of East Mission.

Deputies learned that 23-year-old Zachary D. Edinger was possibly armed, and had a felony warrant for a drug trafficking charge in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, and two local misdemeanor warrants for his arrest.

When Deputies arrived, they saw lights on and movement inside the apartment.

They knocked on the door and made an announcement advising Edinger to exit the apartment and comply.

They also told the female who was believed to be inside to exit and contact them, but they did not receive a reply.

Deputies confirmed that the two vehicles Edinger was reported to use were parked in the apartment complex lot.

They received reports that Edinger was known to keep firearms inside the apartment, and that Edinger was holding the female against her will and would not allow her to leave the apartment.

Spokane Valley SWAT and Hostage Negotiation Teams were then called in.

Residents nearby were asked to find shelter or evacuate.

Negotiators contacted Edinger over the phone, and eventually convinced him to release the female and surrender about three hours from the time the call initially began.

Edinger was successfully taken into custody without anyone being injured.

He was then booked into Spokane County Jail for Unlawful Imprisonment, Resisting Arrest, and misdemeanor warrants. He is also being held on a Fugitive charge for the Idaho Felony Warrant.

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