Man suspected of intentionally ramming cars and a business in north Spokane arrested Wednesday night

Police say a man who was under the influence of drugs intentionally rammed into vehicles and a building in a parking lot in north Spokane.

Joseph T. Harper, 33, was taken into custody Wednesday night under suspicion of first-degree assault, malicious mischief, felony hit and run, DUI and other crimes, police said in a news release. He is currently in a local hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained in the crash.

At about 10:45 p.m., Spokane police officers were called to the area of North Nevada Street and East Wellesley Avenue where a vehicle was “intentionally ramming other cars in the parking lot of a business” and was striking the building, police said.

The vehicle fled the area, and after a short pursuit, crashed near the intersection of East Rowan Avenue and North Cincinnati Street, the news release states. Harper fled on foot and was caught by a police dog.

During their investigation, officers determined that in addition to ramming the vehicles and building, Harper also attempted to run over citizens who witnessed the incident. They said Harper was also driving a stolen vehicle and is believed to have been under the influence of drugs.

Harper has a long criminal history in Spokane County, including a felony possession charge from October of this year. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter, reckless driving, though the charge could have been reduced during his sentencing hearing.