Two car-theft suspects apprehended

A Spokane police officer suffered minor injuries Tuesday morning during one of two pursuits in which car-theft suspects were apprehended.

Just after 2 a.m., Cpl. Kurt Vigesaa and another officer spotted a stolen vehicle near Hamilton Street and Jackson Avenue, Officer Shawn Pegram said in a news release.

When officers attempted to stop the driver of the stolen vehicle, the motorist tried to drive away and struck patrol cars, Pegram said.

The driver fought with officers before being taken into custody. The suspect, 21-year-old Channing Montez, was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property and for assault on the officers.

One officer was treated at a hospital for minor injuries, Pegram said.

Earlier Tuesday, Sgt. Tom Hendren recognized another stolen vehicle just after midnight.

Hendren was patrolling near Maple Street and Maxwell Avenue when the driver fled in the stolen vehicle, Pegram said.

After a short pursuit, the driver jumped out of the car and ran. Hendren chased him through yards and alleys before apprehending Michael Withey, 26.

Withey was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of possession of stolen property, attempting to elude a police vehicle and possession of methamphetamines, Pegram said.

Withey also had unrelated outstanding felony arrest warrants, Pegram said.

The arrests follow a spree in which some 30 vehicles have been reported stolen in five days in Spokane County. That number does not include numerous vehicles that already have been recovered, Pegram said.

Honda and Nissan vehicles are disappearing at an alarming rate, Pegram said. Owners of those makes should take extra security steps and pay attention to any suspicious activity, he said.

Reports of anyone prowling vehicles can be made to 911, Pegram said.