VIDEO Clip of Spike Strip Deployment and Photos of Recovered Evidence can be viewed on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.
Deputies Deploy Spike Strips to Prevent Lengthy Pursuit but Driver of Stolen Vehicle Still Tries to Evade, Suspect Arrested on Multiple Charges
Spokane County and Spokane Valley Deputies located a reported stolen car and coordinated their response to deploy spike strips quickly and avoid a potentially lengthy pursuit. The suspect attempted to flee after a Deputy successfully deployed his set of spike strips. With the tires deflated and the car smoking, the suspect stopped, and Deputies detained him. As the investigation continued, two loaded handguns, substances believed to be Fentanyl and Methamphetamine, scales, and over $1,100 in cash were located and seized. The suspect was booked into jail on multiple charges.
On February 25, 2025, at approximately 9:25 pm, Spokane County Deputies located a reported stolen Lexus traveling south on Argonne Road after they had received an RTCC ALPR stolen vehicle alert. They confirmed the vehicle’s license plate and that it had been reported stolen as additional Deputies, including Spokane Valley Deputies, coordinated their response.
Deputies, from experience, know suspects in stolen vehicles often flee at high speed and drive recklessly, knowing that Washington law prohibits law enforcement from pursuing if the suspect’s actions create a significant danger greater than the need to apprehend/identify the suspect. (Washington RCW 10.116.060)
For this reason, Deputies did not initially attempt to stop the stolen vehicle. Instead, they coordinated their response, trying to get in front of the Lexus to successfully deploy spike strips and deflate the car’s tires to minimize the risk to the public and avoid a lengthy high-speed pursuit.
Near N. Hutchinson and E. Fredrick, a Deputy positioned himself ahead of the approaching stolen Lexus. As the driver, later identified as 39-year-old Jared L. Crewdson, got closer, he apparently noticed the patrol vehicle, swerved, and quickly accelerated. However, the Deputy successfully tossed his stop sticks in the vehicle’s path.
Deputies behind Crewdson activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a traffic stop of the now fleeing vehicle. Still, even with the tries deflating, Crewdson ignored the flashing red/blue lights and sirens while actively trying to evade the pursuing Deputies.
At the intersection of Argonne Road and Argonne Lane, with the car smoking, Crewdson stopped and was taken into custody without further incident. Deputies checked the car and found no one else inside, but as they did, they observed what appeared to be a tan pistol wedged between the driver’s seat and the door.
Crewdson was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions. He explained that he had purchased the Lexus but had not received any paperwork. He was unaware of who owned the guns inside but admitted to knowing they were there and that nothing else inside the car belonged to him.
A search of the car resulted in the recovery of a loaded 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and a loaded Taurus revolver. Deputies located Crewdson’s wallet, which contained $1,152 in various denominations. They also recovered a small bag with a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine, a container with chunks of white powder believed to contain fentanyl, and two scales commonly used to weigh and illegally distribute controlled substances. All were seized as evidence.
A check of Crewdson’s driving status revealed his driving privileges were Suspended 3rd Degree, and he was driving without an interlock device installed as required by law.
Crewdson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 2nd Degree, Driving while Suspended 3rd Degree, and Failure to have Interlock Device Installed.
At Crewdson’s court appearance, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner T. Rugel set his total bond at $150,000.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Deputies Deploy Spike Strips to Prevent Lengthy Pursuit but Driver of Stolen Vehicle Still Tries" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7