K9 Unit Assists LLPD Capture Wanted Felon
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy Clay Hilton and his K9 partner Bane assisted Liberty Lake Officers to apprehend a fleeing convicted felon early Monday morning. The suspect lead Officers and Deputies on a pursuit before running on foot. K9 Bane quickly closed the distance, capturing the suspect who continued to resist and try to get free.
On September 21, 2020, at approximately 1:45 a.m., Deputy Hilton, with his partner K9 Bane responded to assist Liberty Lake Police Officers with an occupied suspicious vehicle call. While en route, Liberty Lake Officers advised the male driver, later identified as 33-year-old Tyler L. Windham, was fleeing from the scene in a vehicle.
Deputy Hilton tried to get ahead of the pursuit to deploy spike strips. He arrived at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and Hwy. 27 and a short time later, observed Windham turn south on Hwy. 27. Deputy Hilton activated his emergency lights and siren and pursued Windham.
As Windham approached Freeman, he slowed to approximately 35 mph and turned onto Jackson Road. Seeing an opportunity to end the pursuit safely, Deputy Hilton positioned his patrol car and conducted a PIT maneuver. Windham’s vehicle spun, slid off the roadway, and stuck on a large rock.
Windham unsuccessfully attempted to drive away but couldn’t. Deputy Hilton gave Windham commands to show his hands, but Windham ignored them, frantically grabbing around the inside and trying to open the driver’s door.
Fearing Windham might be reaching for a weapon or preparing to flee on foot, Deputy Hilton removed K9 Bane from his patrol vehicle.
Suddenly, Windham exited his car and ran southbound on foot, through the school parking lot. Deputy Hilton gave a K9 warning advising Windham to stop, or his K9 would be deployed, but Windham refused to follow the command to stop.
Deputy Hilton released K9 Bane, who quickly caught up to Windham, taking him to the ground. Despite additional commands, Windham continued to resist and fight K9 Bane, who maintained his hold. After a short struggle, the Officers and Deputy Hilton gained control of Windham.
A check of Windham’s name confirmed he is a convicted felon and had a felony Washington State Department of Corrections felony warrant for his arrest.
After being advised of his rights, Windham told Deputy Hilton he ran because a recent cellmate told him law enforcement wouldn’t pursue him in a car if he went over 40 mph. He said he was tired and was sleeping. He became scared when law enforcement continued to pursue him. He denied running and trying to avoid arrest because of his felony warrant.
Windham was provided medical treatment before being transported to the Spokane County Jail. The Liberty Lake Officers booked him for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Resisting (2 counts), and Driving While Suspended, in addition to his Washington DOC felony warrant.
