In brief: Suspects left trail

When a suspected car thief fled from police early Sunday, racing through Spokane Valley to the South Hill, slick roads prompted officers to break off the pursuit.

But tailing the suspect at slower speeds proved simple: Officers followed the tire tracks in freshly fallen snow.

The stolen vehicle was found abandoned near Bernard Street and High Drive, according to Spokane police.

Officers then followed foot tracks for more than a mile before catching and arresting 28-year-old John D. Rovik. Police caught up with a female passenger after tracking her shoe prints for another half-mile.

Rovik was booked on an outstanding arrest warrant, as well as new charges of attempting to elude a police officer, possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful imprisonment for allegedly not letting the passenger out of the vehicle.

The passenger was booked into jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, felony possession of methamphetamine and possessing tools typically used to commit burglaries.

Stateline, Idaho

Driver hurt in crash

A Reardan teen was injured Sunday after losing control of his car on Interstate 90 near Stateline.

Elijah Hansen, 17, was in stable condition Sunday at Deaconess Medical Center.

Hansen was eastbound on I-90 just before 4 a.m. when his 2000 Chevy Cavalier went into the median, striking a cable barrier, according to Washington State Patrol.

A passenger, 17-year-old Jacob Mitchell, of Airway Heights, was uninjured. Both were wearing seat belts, WSP said.

Hansen was cited for driving too fast for conditions.

From staff reports