AMBER Alert suspect in custody, 15-year-old Lewiston girl safe
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.– The man at the center of an AMBER Alert is in custody.
Washington State Patrol said on Tuesday the teen who he was with is okay.
WSP said a caller reported seeing the Chevy Trailblazer that matched the description of the one in the AMBER Alert near Spokane Valley.
“Without the citizens here, we would never got them,” said Sgt. Randy Watts with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The SUV was stolen in Pomeroy on Monday night. Authorities believed 36-year-old Jonathon Bowles stole it. Law enforcement agencies across Idaho and Washington had been looking for Bowles and 15-year-old Lillian Dixon. Her family says she was taken last Friday.
Troopers found the SUV near Trent and Pines. Spokane Valley deputies joined in to help stop the SUV.
“At that point, we attempted to stop the vehicle. It did not stop, or it stopped momentarily and then it took off from us,” Watts said.
Investigators said they started chasing the car. Because of a train, they lost it. A short time later, a deputy spotted Dixon and Bowles walking in a neighborhood near Maxwell Avenue and Park Road.
“Once they were confronted and told to stop, the male suspect began to fight with one of our officers,” Watts said.
WSP said the suspect was taken into custody and the stolen car was found about three blocks away with two dogs inside. According to jail records, Bowles was arrested for kidnapping, assault, resisting arrest, possession of a stolen vehicle, obstructing a law enforcement officer and attempting to elude a police vehicle. He could face other charges in Idaho, if prosecutors decide to extradite him.
Deputies say Dixon is shaken up, but safe.
“As expected, she’s a little bit in shock,” Watts said. “We’re getting her some food and she’s safe. She’s at our precinct and her parents are on the way.”
The AMBER Alert for Dixon went out Monday. According to public records, Bowles is a registered sex offender.
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