Vehicle stolen while idling unattended in N. Spokane

Spokane police are looking for a man they believe stole two cars this morning, crashing the first one into a tree after the victim’s son armed himself and pursued the stolen vehicle. A car that had been warming up unattended at Fiske Street and Indiana Avenue was stolen around 7:30 a.m., Spokane police said. The victim’s son armed himself and pursued the thief, who crashed into a tree at Regal Street and Upriver Drive, a news release said. The thief fled the scene on foot. Witnesses told police they saw the thief at a nearby apartment complex getting into a black Ford Probe. That vehicle had been reported stolen on Wednesday around 9:30 pm., the release said. The thief drove from the area in the second stolen vehicle, which officers later located, unoccupied near 400 E. Montgomery Avenue. Police have identified a possible suspect, and are looking for him. They said he is white, 19-20 years old, has dirty-brown curly hair, and was wearing jeans, a tan jacket, and a backpack. Police would like to remind citizens not to leave vehicles unoccupied while running. In addition to creating a theft danger, idling is illegal in Spokane and can result in a $124 fine.