Suspected Thief Takes Refuge In River

Mon., Dec. 11, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

A suspected shoplifter fleeing a Bon Marche security guard jumped into the Spokane River during a snow storm Saturday night.

Darrell Dwayne Ravellette, 34, was treated for hypothermia after he dove into the water in Riverfront Park, near the Howard Street Bridge.

The air temperature was 18 degrees.

Rescue crews, including a helicopter, were called at about 6:30 p.m. A police officer waded into the water and threw a rope to Ravellette, but he refused to be rescued.

Ravellette surrendered after his body temperature dropped four degrees, said Spokane Police spokesman Dick Cottam.

The downtown Bon Marche security guard told police he chased Ravellette after watching him take a men’s jacket from a store rack.

Ravellette, 614 W. Sinto, was arrested on charges of shoplifting and outstanding warrants. He was booked into Spokane County Jail.

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