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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Huckleberries Online

CPD arrests 5 in ‘purge’ scare

Coeur d’Alene police arrested two 19-year-old men and three juveniles over the weekend on various charges relating to an attempt to scare people with weapons in a “purge,” evoking the 2013 dystopian horror film “The Purge.”

Police responded to a report of six males wearing face masks and dark clothing, carrying weapons and harassing people in the McEuen Park parking structure and the nearby city library parking lot about 10:45 p.m. Sunday. They were armed with a golf club, an ax, a baseball bat and a sword, police said.

“While being interviewed after being detained, the males talked about planning a ‘purge’ event to scare people,” Coeur d’Alene police Detective Jared Reneau said.

One of the males painted “purge” in red paint on two concrete walls at the park, police said.

The film depicts a family held hostage during an annual event when all crime, including murder, is legal for 12 hours. Blood-soaked sequels were released in 2014 and 2016.

As officers arrived Sunday night, the six males fled the area. Three were located in the park near the pavilion. Two others ran to Tubbs Hill, attempting to hide, police said. They were located with the help of a K9 team. The sixth male was identified but not found.

Jordan Evans,19, of Coeur d’Alene was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, obstructing a police officer and destruction of evidence. Corey Scott, 19, of Spokane was arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy, obstructing an officer and possession of paraphernalia.

Three juveniles were arrested and charged with various crimes, including aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy and obstruction/Scott Maben, SR.



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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