Suspect Falls Through Ceiling

Thu., June 29, 2000

From Staff Reports

A Medical Lake man was arrested on several outstanding warrants Tuesday after he fell through the ceiling of a Taco Time while trying to elude a sheriff’s deputy.

Justin Dale Smith was booked into jail on charges of second-degree malicious mischief and obstructing an officer, Spokane sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

He was also booked on outstanding misdemeanor warrants charging him with third-degree driving while license suspended, reckless driving and driving under the influence.

Reagan gave this account of the arrest: Deputy Ken Dodge had been trying to find Smith since the suspect ran from his home June 19 to avoid arrest on the warrants. On Tuesday, Dodge saw Smith inside his home, but he would not come to the door. The deputy noted a green Volkswagen parked in the driveway and left.

Later Tuesday, around 3:30 p.m, the deputy saw the Volkswagen going eastbound on Highway 2 through Airway Heights. Dodge saw that Smith was a passenger in the car and turned around to stop the Volkswagen.

The VW turned off the freeway, and Dodge lost sight of it as it passed behind the Airway Heights Taco Time. When Dodge stopped the car, Smith was no longer in it. A citizen told Dodge the man had run into the Taco Time. Inside, customers pointed to the restrooms.

The door to the women’s room was locked and Dodge ordered the occupant to open it. The deputy then heard sounds of something being damaged, and the suspended ceiling outside the room began shaking. Dodge unlocked the door with a hanger and entered the bathroom just as Smith came crashing down through the ceiling.

Smith was arrested and paramedics treated him for a cut on the arm. The Taco Time manager estimated more than $300 in damage had been done to the ceiling.

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