In brief:: Police involved in three chases Wednesday
Spokane police were involved in three pursuits through north Spokane neighborhoods Wednesday, at least two of which involved stolen cars.
Police spotted a stolen car near Perry and North Foothills Drive around 11 p.m. and attempted to make a stop, said Officer Shawn Pegram in a news release.
After a short pursuit, the vehicle’s driver ran away and was apprehended. Arrested was Thomas Curd, 22.
Officers found drugs and a firearm inside the car, a Nissan Maxima believed to be one of numerous Nissans stolen recently in Spokane, Pegram said. Curd was booked into jail on suspicion of eluding police, possession of stolen property, drugs and unlawful possession of a firearm.
About midnight, an officer attempted to stop a car driven by Oscar Iverson, 31, also in north Spokane, Pegram said. Iverson led officers on a pursuit and eventually ran, Pegram said. Iverson was found hiding under the porch of a home at Cincinnati and Courtland, Pegram said.
Iverson was booked into jail on warrants for robbery and drug possession, as well as for attempting to elude police.
Authorities are still looking for a person of interest in the third chase. Around 5 p.m. a vehicle fled from officers near 5800 N. Division St. The same vehicle was involved in a vehicle prowling and a hit-and-run crash, Pegram said.
Police would like to question Dustin Rauscher, 22, in relation to that incident. Anyone with information on Rauscher’s whereabouts is asked to call (509) 242-TIPS.
Search continues for police volunteer
Authorities continued searching Thursday for a missing Spokane police volunteer, who was last seen leaving his Five Mile Prairie home on Tuesday.
George L. Kubes, 81, never arrived for his doctor’s appointment at the VA Hospital on Tuesday morning, police said. He was reported missing by his family the next day.
Two helicopters were used in the search Thursday, said Spokane police spokesman Cpl. Tom Lee. The helicopters, provided by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, scanned the Five Mile Prairie area.
Additional searches by officers, deputies and volunteers in cars and on foot have turned up no trace of Kubes, Lee said.
Law enforcement agencies have received at least six tips from people who might have seen Kubes and his car, Lee said. The tips have come in from as far away as Grant County and Sandpoint.
It’s not known what clothing Kubes was wearing when he left home Tuesday morning. He is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and 190 pounds, bald and with blue eyes.
He was driving a red 1995 Geo Metro, Washington license 210 SOE.
Anyone who thinks they have seen Kubes or his car is asked to call 911, Lee said.
Cash reward offered for info on firearm theft
Secret Witness is offering a cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of a Spokane Valley man wanted for possession of a stolen firearm.
Matthew Scooter Pennucci, 27, was arrested Nov. 10 after a confrontation with Spokane Valley police officer who responded to a call of a suspicious person later – identified as Pennucci – at a Starbucks Coffee store on East Sprague, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, police spokesman.
Pennucci was found carrying a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol stolen from Missoula in 1999 and also had a syringe loaded with methamphetamine, Reagan said.
He was arrested and booked into Spokane County jail and later released. Pennucci has since disappeared, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. It carries a $40,000 bond.
Pennucci is white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. His last known address is 14118 E. Longfellow Ave., Reagan said.
Anyone with information on Pennucci’s whereabouts is asked to call (509) 327-5111.
Tipsters do not have to give their name to collect the reward but should use a code name or number.
Compiled from staff reports