In brief: Boy leads deputies on vehicle chase

A 16-year-old boy was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of drunken driving after leading Spokane County deputies on a pursuit that lasted nearly 20 minutes.

The teen also received traffic tickets for failure to obey a stop sign, improper lane travel, no valid driver’s license, no proof of insurance and failure to wear a seat belt, Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

A passenger, 20-year-old Linda K. Gillock, was arrested on a felony warrant for escape, Reagan said.

The pursuit began about 12:15 a.m. when a deputy tried to stop a truck for suspicion of drunken driving in Mead, Reagan said. The teenage driver pulled away, leading authorities into dirt and high grass.

With the help of the Spokane County sheriff’s helicopter and several deputies, authorities stopped the truck, Reagan said.

At one point, deputies saw someone point something out the back window of the truck, Reagan said. A .44-caliber pistol and ammunition were found in the truck. However, no one faces weapons charges.

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Information sought on store robbery

Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed the Nine Mile Store at gunpoint Saturday.

The robber was described as a young Native American man, 6 feet tall and thin, with long black hair, said Spokane County sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan. The man was wearing a blue flannel shirt and jeans.

The robber pulled his hair across his face as a mask and was wearing sunglasses, Reagan said.

About 7:40 p.m., the man walked into the store holding a small black pistol and demanded cash, Reagan said. He left with cash from a till.

Anyone with information about the robbery can call (509) 456-2233.

Jody Lawrence-Turner

Foul play ruled out in marina drowning

HOPE, Idaho – Authorities have ruled the drowning of a 59-year-old Montana woman in Lake Pend Oreille an accident.

Bonner County sheriff’s Lt. Doug Harris said foul play has been ruled out in the death of Joan Lyons, of Troy, whose body was discovered Oct. 22 in a boat slip at Kramer’s Marina in Hope.

Harris on Wednesday said toxicology results indicate Lyons was legally intoxicated at the time of her death.

Sheriff’s officials say Lyons had been living on a sailboat at the marina on weekdays while working in the Sandpoint area.

Associated Press