Man holds off police two hours

A man wanted on several arrest warrants held police at bay for more than two hours Monday in a Spokane Valley manufactured home park.

Christopher E. Williams, 29, allegedly met Spokane Valley police with a pistol shortly after 2:30 p.m. as they tried to arrest him on four warrants in Sonrise Place, a community at 11303 E. Jackson Ave. A pellet gun closely resembling a real gun was later recovered from the home, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, spokesman for the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

A standoff ensued that forced the evacuation of a nearby home day care as well as an elderly man just home from the hospital. Jackson was blocked off near its intersection with Montgomery Avenue. The quiet neighborhood didn’t return to normal until barricades were lifted after 5 p.m.

An anonymous caller had tipped police about Williams’ location, Reagan said. Williams was wanted for Department of Corrections escape, a felony typically stemming from probation violations; felony eluding police; and two misdemeanor warrants for driving without a license. The situation was complicated by Williams’ girl–

friend and her infant, who were in the home during the standoff and refused to leave. The girlfriend, Reagan said, told police she was afraid to leave.

Spokane County SWAT marksmen encircled the home and waited for negotiators to arrive. But Spokane Valley Cpl. Mark Fox, who established contact with Williams by phone early in the standoff, managed to talk the suspect into surrendering.

Williams was jailed on the charges listed in the warrants, though Reagan said he could also face charges related to the standoff.