Police chase ends with river rescue

A man driving a stolen car fled in the vehicle and then jumped into the Spokane River before being pulled out by police this morning, authorities say. Douglas B. Baker, 24, was arrested on suspicion of attempting to elude police and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to a news release from the Spokane Police Department. Early this morning, police said, an officer stopped to check on two occupants of a Honda behaving suspiciously at a convenience store at Francis Avenue and Elgin Street. One had exited the car and fled on foot as the officer approached. The driver of the Honda, which had previously been reported stolen, drove recklessly southeast through the city. Police made several unsuccessful attempts to stop the vehicle before Baker stopped and fled on foot in the area of Mission Avenue and Perry Street. Baker jumped into the Spokane River just east of Whittier Pool, the release said. After attempting to swim away, Baker turned and swam back, where officers used leg restraints to pull him out of the water, police said. He was transported to a hospital for a health check before being booked into Spokane County Jail. Baker was sentenced just last week for a misdemeanor theft charge, court records show.