Fleeing, Especially on a Bicycle, Only Leads to New Charges
Spokane Valley Deputies captured a suspect who fled on a bicycle after he made the poor choice to ignore commands to stop for a traffic violation.
On September 18, 2018, at approximately 10:10 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Chris Giacomini attempted to stop a male on a bicycle for an equipment violation near Sprague and Locust. Instead of stopping for the fully marked patrol car with lights, and at times siren, activated the male, later identified as 41-year-old Victor L. Oles, continued on his way. Deputy Giacomini even used the PA system in his vehicle to tell Oles to stop, but Oles refused and rode faster.
Additional patrol units responded to the area, eventually blocking the path of Oles who had fled around the Hico station and doubled back to Farr near Sprague. Oles tried to turn around to continue his flight but lost control of his bicycle and dropped it on the ground. Deputy Giacomini, Deputy Velikodnyy and Deputy Lundgren ran over and took Oles into custody after a short struggle.
Oles stated he had a warrant (for his arrest) when Deputy Giacomini sat him on the curb and advised him he was under arrest for Obstructing. A check of Oles’ name revealed he indeed had a misdemeanor warrant for Theft and a felony Washington State Department of Corrects warrant for Escape Community Custody (conspiracy possession of a controlled substance).
Oles was transported and booked on new misdemeanor charges of Obstructing and Resisting Arrest in addition to his warrants. He also received a traffic citation for Defective/Missing Equipment on a Bicycle.