Officers escape injury

Spokane Officer Ken Applewaite was supposed to be part of the motorcade escorting President Bush into Spokane today.

His plans changed Wednesday when an escaped convict involved in a high-speed pursuit with police nearly ran over the officer and crashed into his motorcycle.

“The front end of my bike got pretty messed up,” Applewaite said. “I’m guessing I won’t be (part of the motorcade) now without a bike.”

Applewaite, who was helping steer traffic out of the path of the pursuit near Wellesley Avenue and Driscoll Boulevard, had to jump off his motorcycle to avoid being hit by a speeding vehicle that police say was driven by 27-year-old Shappa Jay Baker.

Baker, who is wanted by the Washington State Department of Corrections on escape charges, was at large Wednesday night, after allegedly eluding police at speeds up to 90 mph through northwest Spokane neighborhoods.

The incident began around 4 p.m., when officers located Baker at a home in the 800 block of West Maxwell.

“We got word that he was armed and dangerous and that he stated that he would not be taken alive, that he would not go back to prison,” Sgt. Larry Evans said.

Police say Baker was walking down an alley when officers, also on foot, began the chase. Baker got in his car, a gray, older model SUV, perhaps a Chevrolet Blazer, and sped off. An officer in pursuit attempted to stop the car using the “pit” maneuver, hitting the back of Baker’s car.

“We were able to spin him out, but he didn’t stop,” Evans said.

Baker continued driving, striking the officer’s vehicle twice, the last time near Summit Boulevard and Ohio Avenue. He hit the driver’s side of the patrol car, shattering the window. The officer wasn’t injured, but his patrol car was disabled, Evans said.

The chase continued northwest, to Wellesley and Driscoll, where Applewaite was clearing traffic as other officers set out spike strips they hoped would stop Baker.

Instead of going through the intersection and over the strips, Baker, headed east on Wellesley, drove the car up over the curb, aiming at Applewaite.

“He was definitely targeting me,” Applewaite said.

Baker then sped north on Driscoll, toward the Seven Mile area. Police terminated the pursuit as speeds reached 80 to 90 mph, and Baker was last seen heading toward Stevens County on Highway 291.

In addition to the arrest warrant for escape, Baker now faces two counts of first-degree assault for attempt to kill Applewaite and the officer in the patrol car, Evans said.

Anyone with information regarding Baker’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.