Graffiti Suspect Damages School and Business Before Fleeing on Foot,
Damaging a Fence and Assaulting a Deputy During Arrest
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a person reportedly tagging a high school with spray paint. Deputies located the suspect, who fled on foot and jumped several fences trying to escape. A Deputy caught up to the suspect, who had been told to stop and that he was under arrest, tackling him as he attempted to scale another fence. The suspect resisted arrest, actually striking a Deputy in the head, but was taken into custody after a short struggle. The suspect was booked into jail and charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor.
On April 14, 2025, at approximately 2:05 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported male suspect tagging a school in the 8300 block of E. Buckeye Avenue. The caller described the suspect as male, wearing a black facemask, a black hooded sweatshirt, and dark blue shorts with a black backpack. He was last seen walking west on E. Buckeye Avenue.
A Deputy arriving in the area was flagged over by an adult male who said the suspect was on Buckeye and N. Ella Road. The Deputy continued in his fully marked patrol car and located the suspect in the 2700 block of N. Cedar Road. The Deputy energized his emergency lights and siren to signal the suspect to stop before exiting his patrol car. He told the suspect to stop and that he was not free to leave, but the suspect ignored the Deputy. As the Deputy gave commands again, the suspect bolted, jumping fences and running through yards.
With additional Deputies flooding the area to assist, Deputies gave chase while continuing to tell the suspect to stop, while giving verbal warnings that force, including a Taser, would be used. Unfortunately, the suspect chose to ignore commands and continue his attempt to avoid arrest.
In the 2700 block of N. Park Road, another Deputy arrived, also in a fully marked patrol car with emergency equipment activated, and gave chase on foot while giving loud and clear commands to stop. The suspect ignored the Deputy, who quickly closed the distance. As the suspect began to jump over another fence, the Deputy tackled him, sending them both to the ground.
The suspect kicked and wildly threw punches, one of which connected with the side of the Deputy’s head, as he continued to resist arrest. Additional Deputies arrived and helped take the suspect into custody.
Deputies learned the suspect defaced a school and local business with spray paint, and a fence was damaged during his attempted escape, causing approximately $5,500 in total damages.
The suspect refused to identify himself and was booked into the Spokane County Jail as a “John Doe.” He was later identified as 22-year-old Kevin Ariza by jail staff. Ariza was charged with Assault 3rd Degree, three counts of Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree, and Obstructing Law Enforcement.
At his court appearance, Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set Ariza’s bond at $2,500 total, and he remains in jail at this time. 
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Graffiti Suspect Damages School and Business Before Fleeing on Foot," was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7