Man riding stolen scooter arrested in Spokane Valley after chase

A man riding a stolen scooter at high speeds attempted to elude Spokane Valley deputies, but was arrested after a chase, law enforcement officials said.

Travis S. Chuitt, 39, was seen driving a Honda scooter on a sidewalk at speeds of about 30 mph Friday evening, deputies said.

After Chuitt was approached by a deputy, he jumped off the curb, made a U-turn in the street and fled southbound on Pines Road. He turned into a parking lot on the northwest corner of Pines and Sprague with the deputy in pursuit.

After crossing Perine Road, Chuitt jumped off the scooter and fled on foot, scaling a fence to avoid a pursuing K-9, according to officials.

When he was arrested, Chuitt denied driving the scooter or knowing it was stolen, officials said.

Chuitt was booked into the Spokane County Jail for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, attempting to elude a police vehicle, resisting arrest and obstructing law enforcement.