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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Stolen brand-new Subaru found beat up

From Staff Reports

A new Subaru stolen in north Spokane County last week was recovered early Friday morning worse for wear after launching over a dirt berm, driving through a field and crashing into a utility box.

The car’s owner reported the 2015 car stolen from her garage in the 12800 block of North Palomino Lane on Tuesday morning. Also missing were her purse and two bicycles attached to the car’s bicycle rack.

A Spokane County sheriff’s deputy spotted the stolen car at a gas station at 1201 N. Barker Road shortly after midnight Thursday, according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s Office news release. The thieves had put a different license plate on it, but the deputy followed the car and attempted to pull it over at Mission Avenue and Long Road.

The driver sped away and drove down a dead end at River Walk Lane and Hodges Lane. The car went airborne after hitting a dirt berm and landed violently in a field before speeding away, the news release said. Other deputies found the car near Knox Avenue and Cavalier Road, where the driver and passenger left it after crashing into a utility box.

A police dog was able to track both people who had been in the car, the release said. One was found hiding in some bushes, and the other was hiding in the field. Two BB guns were found in the car along with heroin and other drugs.

Police also recovered four credit cards belonging to the victim and both bicycles.

The driver of the car, identified as Austin L. Russell, 24, was arrested on 11 charges, include attempting to elude a police vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property and hit-and-run.

The passenger, identified as Michael G. Baldwin, 44, was arrested on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property and obstructing a police officer.