Bicyclist arrested for carrying heroin, gun, buglary tools

A traffic stop Friday morning in downtown quickly escalated into a police chase that led to a loaded discovery of drugs, burglary tools and a loaded gun. Spokane Police Officer Scott Lesser tried to stop a bicyclist at 3rd and Monroe at about 4:11 a.m. for riding without a helmet or headlight and traveling in the wrong direction down a one-way street. But as Lesser approached, the bicyclist took off, leading the officer on a chase through alleys and parking lots. Lesser left his car to follow the subject on foot as he radioed in the bicyclist’s position. Officers arrested the 17-year-old male after he crashed his bike at 2nd and Washington. At the scene, they discovered heroin, a drug scale, burglary tools and an unlawfully possessed .22 semi-automatic handgun in the suspect’s bag. Car prowling is on the rise in downtown, but police recommend not approaching suspects. Perpetrators often carry weapons, like this, officers say.