Wrong man jumps into river

Spokane police arrested a 29-year-old man Friday who attempted to escape officers by jumping into the Spokane River during a burglary investigation in northeast Spokane.

A neighbor saw two men on bicycles removing items from a garage in the 1700 block of North Cook Street about 11:15 a.m., police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

Officers began searching for the suspects and spotted two men matching the description near the Trent Avenue Bridge. They attempted to stop the pair, but one of the men threatened to jump off the bridge into the water. When the man, later identified as John D. Ponder, ignored the officer’s requests to stop, the officer pulled out his Taser and fired, and Ponder jumped. He quickly climbed onto the riverbank and was taken into custody, Cottam said.

Witnesses to the burglary said Ponder and the other man, who was released, were not the suspects. Ponder said he ran from police because he thought he had a warrant for his arrest, Cottam said.

He was booked into jail for obstructing an investigation. He also attempted to give officers a false name, Cottam said.

Police are still looking for the two suspected burglars. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.