Wanted man caught after chase

A man wanted on four outstanding warrants led officers on a seven-minute chase in Spokane after ramming his car into a police cruiser Thursday evening.

Officer Alan Edwards, acting on an anonymous tip, was staking out the 1700 block of West 10th Avenue to search for Jeffrey F. Matlock, said Spokane police Officer Tracie Meidl.

“When they saw (Matlock), they moved to make a traffic stop,” Meidl said, “and he intentionally rammed a patrol car with Officer Edwards inside.”

Matlock, 33, sped off in his dark-colored Jeep Cherokee, and about seven patrol cars joined in the pursuit, Meidl said. When the chase went through Browne’s Addition, Matlock drove through Coeur d’Alene Park – over grass and between trees. By the end of the pursuit, police had lost sight of the Cherokee on city streets, she said.

Police located Matlock on foot at East Pacific Avenue and South Scott Street and arrested him, they said. He was booked into Spokane County Jail on three counts of possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, a misdemeanor traffic warrant, plus second-degree assault and attempt to elude after the police chase, Meidl said.

Earlier this week, Secret Witness offered a reward for information leading to Matlock’s whereabouts. At the time, Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said, “Matlock’s extensive criminal history has earned him a spot on local law enforcement’s repeat offender program.”