Fugitive arrested after short chase

A fugitive was taken into custody Thursday afternoon following a short pursuit in Hayden. A Kootenai County Sheriff’s deputy and his partner attempted to stop a car on Hayden Avenue, near Ramsey Road, for a minor license plate violation. The driver, Leslie H. Kneeland, 28, of Post Falls, sped away, reaching speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour in a residential neighborhood, officials said. He abandoned the car in the middle of the street and fled on foot. The deputies chased him through yards, over fences and eventually found him in a backyard of a residence in the 9900 block of N. Meadow Way. Kneeland was taken into custody without further incident. He was booked into the jail on felony eluding, obstructing an officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia charges. Additionally, Kneeland had five outstanding warrants for his arrest which he was also booked on. Those charges include domestic battery, possession of drug paraphernalia, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while suspended, battery and probation violation.