Man Arrested in Chewelah After Allegedly Striking Patrol Vehicle and Attempting to Run Over Deputy
The Stevens County Sheriff’s Office arrested Justin Van Slyke, 36, in Chewelah, Washington, over the weekend after he allegedly struck a patrol vehicle and attempted to run over a Spokane County deputy during two separate police pursuits on Friday.
Van Slyke was booked into the Spokane County Jail early Sunday morning on multiple felony charges, including assault, hit-and-run, and two counts of attempting to evade law enforcement, according to the Spokane County inmate log.
The incidents began on Friday in Spokane Valley when Spokane County deputies attempted to apprehend Van Slyke during two police pursuits. During these pursuits, he allegedly struck a patrol car and made an attempt to run over a deputy, according to a statement from the Stevens County Sheriff’s Office.
Following the pursuits, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office alerted law enforcement partners in Stevens County that Van Slyke might be headed to the Chewelah area. Stevens County deputies acted on the tip and located Van Slyke at a residence in Chewelah. After obtaining a search warrant, deputies apprehended him and transferred custody to a Spokane County deputy.
The arrest highlights the collaborative efforts between neighboring law enforcement agencies to apprehend suspects and ensure public safety. Van Slyke now faces serious charges as the investigation into the incident continues.
The authorities have not disclosed further details about the motive behind Van Slyke’s actions or any injuries resulting from the incident. However, his alleged attempt to harm a law enforcement officer has drawn attention to the risks officers face in the line of duty.
Both the Stevens County and Spokane County Sheriff’s Offices commend the swift action taken to locate and arrest the suspect. Additional updates will be released as the case develops. Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
