Suspect escapes SWAT team briefly in Post Falls

A 28-year-old Spokane man suspected of kidnapping and extortion sneaked out the back door of a friend’s house to evade the SWAT team Thursday in Post Falls, only to be caught later.

Right before noon, Post Falls police responded to a house at 204 W. 17th Ave., where Josh Moses allegedly held and beat up Joshua M. Branam, 34, on Saturday, Post Falls police Chief Scot Haug said. Police believe Branam, of Coeur d’Alene, owed Moses money, but the investigation is ongoing.

Branam’s family paid Moses $2,500 for his release, Haug said.

The homeowner told officers as they toured the scene of the beating Thursday that Moses was in the house, and that he had a gun. Officers called the SWAT team, but Moses sneaked out the back door, Haug said.

The police apprehended Moses around 6:30 p.m. at the Post Falls Club, a bar at 611 E. Seltice Way. Moses was booked into the Kootenai County Jail. A 15-year-old runaway also was arrested today in connection with the Saturday incident. Branam was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding warrant, Haug said.