Court papers describe nonstop harassment by stalking suspect
A stalking suspect shot by police last weekend remains in the hospital as he recovers from his wounds.
Joseph E. Hensz has yet to appear in court on suspicion of stalking and eluding police in a stolen car through north Spokane neighborhoods. He topped 100 mph at times during the chase before crashing his car in the 2200 block of North Post Street, police said. Witnesses described hearing the crash, followed by shouts and then gunfire.
Months of harassment led up to Hensz’s encounter with police, according to court documents. His alleged actions included a chicken sandwich that he tossed at a home of an ex-girlfriend. Police saw it and attempted to confront Hensz before the chase began, according to the documents.
Hensz, 20, previously dated a 19-year-old woman off and on for three years. She lives with her extended family on West Knox Avenue on Spokane’s North Side.
The woman’s mother filed for an anti-harassment restraining order to keep Hensz away from her home.
Her petition alleges months of harassing phone calls, threats and stalking behavior as well as police reports detailing the day of the shooting. The woman who filed the petition said she called 911 Saturday morning to report that Hensz was following her daughter and granddaughter as they visited a local park. He reportedly followed them home and then circled the block several times.
Saturday afternoon, the woman said she called 911 several times to report that Hensz was circling the block in a car at high speeds, repeatedly calling on the phone and parking in front of their house. At one point police watched the home from a short distance away and saw Hensz arrive in a stolen car and throw something at the home. The item was later identified as a chicken sandwich, according to police reports.
Hensz left and police gave chase, but they backed off because of high speeds, according to a police report. The chase resumed after Hensz returned to the home several more times.
“The last time he was followed by police again he was intercepted at Post Ave.,” the woman wrote in her petition. “I heard the shooting from my house. In his attempt to run away from police, he crashed against a tree and was transported to the hospital.”
The woman wrote that the harassment dates back to the beginning of the year and that she has made numerous police reports. Hensz would often park in front of the house for hours or sit on the front porch, she wrote. She has to unplug her phone every night because Hensz calls repeatedly, she wrote.
During one incident in March, police responded while Hensz was still there and told him that he was not allowed on the property. In response, Hensz allegedly taunted the responding officer and asked what would happen if he stepped over the line, according to a police report. Hensz was arrested for trespassing after Hensz took a step forward onto the property.
Hensz currently is facing charges of domestic violence stalking and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. His criminal history includes multiple arrests as a juvenile for assault, residential burglary, malicious mischief and taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission.