Woman steals helpful man’s SUV, wrecks in police chase
A Spokane man stopped Tuesday morning to help what appeared to be an injured woman only to have her steal his SUV before leading police on a chase that ended with a crash into power poles in west Spokane County.
The man was driving his Ford Expedition south on Freya Street when he saw a woman lying on the sidewalk near Pratt Avenue, police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a press release.
The man parked his SUV, got out and approached the woman. They talked for a bit, and the man momentarily looked away.
The supposedly injured woman jumped up, got into the SUV and drove away, Cottam said. The man then called police.
Officers spotted the stolen vehicle traveling west on Interstate 90 and followed it. The driver struck and damaged one car on an entrance ramp, then hit a power pole and knocked down power lines on Highway 2 near Spotted Road, Cottam said.
The woman was identified as 28-year-old Julie Lynn Proper of Spokane. She was treated for a cut on her head and booked into jail on charges of vehicle theft, attempting to elude police and hit and run, Cottam said.
Teen didn’t return from school
A 13-year-old Glover Junior High student didn’t return home after school Tuesday, and police are asking for the public’s help in finding him.
Harley M. Green, who has developmental disabilities, was last seen at Glover at 3:15 p.m., Spokane police said in a press release. He usually arrives at his home near Monroe Street and Jackson Avenue on the school bus.
Green is 5 feet 4 and 205 pounds with brown hair. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, dark T-shirt with “Racer-X” on the front, blue jeans and red shoes.
Police ask anyone with information on Green’s whereabouts to call 911.
Fire damages office of business
A Spokane business was damaged early Tuesday by a fire likely started by a homeless person to keep warm, the Spokane Fire Department reported.
Crews were called to Triple Plate Chrome & Bumper Repair, 2302 E. Trent Ave., about 2:30 a.m. and found fire burning along the exterior of a metal building, said Battalion Chief Craig Cornelius.
The fire damaged an office, but did not cause significant damage to the business, said Triple Plate’s owner Jay Tripp.
“They caught it early,” Tripp said. “The fire department did an awesome job.”
Macon mayor, party touring city
The mayor of Macon, Ga., led a seven-person delegation to Spokane on Tuesday to tour city parks and entertainment facilities as part of an effort to get ideas for his own city.
Mayor C. Ray Ellis had attended the International Sister Cities Conference in Spokane in July and decided to return to the Lilac City for a closer look at its amenities. The group was planning to ride the newly opened gondola, tour Riverfront and Manito parks and visit the Spokane Arena and Convention Center.
The group also had scheduled to meet with Mayor Jim West and his staff.