Several-Hour Standoff, in Sweltering Heat, Ends with SWAT Team Arresting a Noncompliant, Multi-Time, Convicted Felon and Wanted Suspect
The Spokane Valley SWAT Team successfully concluded a multi-hour standoff in yesterday’s excessive heat when they located a defiant multi-time convicted felon with valid felony warrants for his arrest hiding in a crawlspace. The suspect was transported to the hospital as a precaution due to heat exposure before he was booked into jail. No Citizens or Deputies were injured during this incident.
On July 10, 2024, at approximately 4:40 pm, a Spokane Valley Deputy checked the temporary license plate of a suspicious vehicle parked at a residence in the 7300 block of E. 4th Avenue. The return showed the registered owner, 46-year-old Savaad C. Alex, had several felony warrants for his arrest for charges of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, and a Washington State Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody Hold (original charge Assault 2nd Degree).
While several additional Deputies responded to assist, Alex was observed at the location, and a perimeter was quickly established to prevent an escape. Deputies began PA announcements advising occupants of their presence and commanding Alex to exit the residence peacefully. Several people exited the home, followed commands, were interviewed, and later released without charges. However, Alex chose to ignore the lawful commands and remained inside.
With Alex’s refusal to exit and his lengthy criminal history, including crimes of violence, drug sales, theft, refusal to cooperate, obstructing, and the use of firearms, in addition to several felony convictions, the SWAT Team, Crisis Negotiators, and Behavior Health Units were requested.
A search warrant for the location was requested and obtained. During the next several hours, announcements to surrender and use-of-force warnings were continually given. Additionally, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), the introduction of chemical irritants, and several other options were utilized to try and coax Alex into surrendering, but all were unsuccessful.
After several hours in full safety/tactical gear in the excessive heat and without a response from Alex, SWAT Team members, assisted by K9 Units, entered the home and began slowly searching rooms and several access, attic, and crawlspace areas.
Just after 11:00 pm, Alex was located hiding in a crawlspace and was placed under arrest. He was provided medical aid at the scene as a precaution for heat exposure and transported to the hospital for additional care.
Once medically cleared, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for his felony warrants at approximately 1:20 am. (Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, Attempt to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, and a Washington State Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody Hold-original charge Assault 2nd Degree)
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This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Several-Hour Standoff, in Sweltering Heat, Ends with SWAT Team Arresting a Noncompliant, Multi-Time," was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7