SPOKANE -- Police are dealing with a spike in property crimes such as car thefts and burglaries. They have made several arrests but keep seeing the same suspects month after month. Police say these crimes are starting to threaten public safety.
What started as a traffic stop near Crestline and Sprague just after 4 a.m. Wednesday, ended with a high speed chase into Idaho. Spokane County deputies laid spike strips across I-90 slowing the suspects car. Post Falls police did the same when he took an exit. When he was taken into custody, officers found the suspect, 29-year-old John Rovik, had just been released from jail two weeks ago on a vehicle theft charge.
On Tuesday, crime analyst Tom Michaud showed KREM 2 a list of hundreds of criminals the Department of Corrections recently released from supervision because of budget cuts. On the list included Rovik.
Last week, officers arrested Michael Bridges after he broke into several cars in North Spokane. He was found hiding in a box. This week, he was arrested for shoplifting at Sears. Instead of hiding, he was armed with an airsoft pistol. Police say they are concerned what starts as a petty theft is turning into a pursuit or hold-up the next time.
Rovik not only faces charges of eluding, but unlawful imprisonment as well. Two women were in the car at the time and apparently asked Rovik to let them out.
