Spokane police arrest domestic violence suspect after standoff

After a short foot chase Wednesday, a man shoved a police officer before locking himself in a home with the woman he allegedly assaulted.

The suspect, Michael Withey, 39, was arrested after a standoff that lasted several hours. He is expected to face a charge of third-degree assault on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Police were dispatched to a residence on the 1700 block of East Desmet Avenue for a reported domestic violence assault at about 3 p.m.

Witnesses had reported a man and woman yelling at each other. The man reportedly kicked a parked vehicle and witnesses reported the man had assaulted the woman, according to a Spokane Police Department news release.

When the first officer arrived on scene, Withey was walking away from the residence and the officer attempted to question him, police said.

Withey then ran away from the officer. After a short pursuit, Withey went back inside the residence with the woman he allegedly assaulted, according to police. The officer was close behind and tried to follow Withey inside. Withey pushed the officer, making him fall back outside the home, police said.

The door to the home was locked and numerous attempts to contact either person inside were unanswered.

SWAT, the hostage negotiation team, K-9 officers and a law enforcement helicopter, along with fire and ambulances responded to the scene.

After a standoff of three hours, officers received a search warrant for the home and used force to gain entry at about 7 p.m. The female was able to leave the home shortly after.

Withey refused to leave the home and officers used additional tactics for nearly two hours before they went inside and took him into custody.

Withey was taken to the hospital and cleared by medical personnel before being booked into jail.

Additional charges may be added at a later date, according to SPD.

Withey has a lengthy criminal record in Spokane County going back to 2002, including convictions for attempting to elude police, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, burglary and theft.