‘Nemesis’ of property owners flees court
A man police call “the nemesis of Spokane Valley property owners” returned to jail Wednesday after fleeing a courtroom and falling in front of the Spokane County Elections Office.
Cole T. Monson, 36, ran from Spokane County District Court Judge Debra Hayes’ courtroom after Hayes revoked his bond on a driving while suspended charge and ordered him jailed, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Monson shoved a judicial assistant then ran from the courtroom, down the stairs and out the Public Safety Building as a deputy chased him, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Monson fell as he jumped down a short stairwell, then was handcuffed and returned to court by police, where Hayes “reiterated she wanted him taken to jail,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
Monson, a longtime felon arrested in a large stolen property and fuel theft investigation in March, faces new charges of felony third-degree assault and misdemeanor first-degree escape.
Monson may face criminal charges for as many as 120 crimes involving burglary, vehicle prowling, arson, malicious mischief and vehicle theft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
He's also a suspect in a federal investigation involving counterfeit money, and is suspected of exchanging stolen property for meth to a woman recently indicted on federal meth charges.