Suspect tries to escape interview through ceiling

A 33-year-old man held on a burglary charge added to his rap sheet Tuesday when he attempted to escape from authorities by climbing through the ceiling of the Public Safety Building, according to a news release.

Marco James Hilby sat in a major-crimes interview room about 3 p.m., being questioned by Detective Dan Spivey about burglaries in addition to his June 26 charge, Cpl. Dave Reagan wrote in the release. A detective interrupted the interrogation to locally register Hilby for an out-of-state sexual-offense conviction. The detective then stepped out of the room to speak with Spivey.

Hilby stepped out, too, Reagan wrote.

According to the release, Spivey and the detective heard a noise from the room. When they entered, they saw Hilby’s jail slippers on the floor and a ceiling tile ajar.

Hilby made his way through the ceiling. By the time he reached the Spokane Police Department’s call-in reporting office, Hilby either dropped down or fell from the ceiling, according to the release.

According to the release, Hilby began running down the hallway and out the door, being chased by at least a dozen detectives, deputies and officers. In the meantime, Detectives Bill Marshall and Ty Snider ran out another door and waited. Marshall assumed a linebacker stance, and Hilby ran into him.

Hilby was booked on a charge of first-degree escape. Damage to the ceiling and electrical cables will be assessed today, and Hilby will likely be charged for malicious mischief.

A review of the room’s security is also expected, according to the release.

After being led back to his jail cell, Hilby reportedly asked Spivey, “I suppose a cigarette is out of the question now?”