VIDEO Suspect’s Poor & Malicious Choice to Damage a Patrol Car Parked at the Spokane Valley Precinct
VIDEO can be viewed on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube Channel or Facebook page.
Suspect’s Poor and Malicious Choice to Damage a Patrol Car Parked at the Spokane Valley Precinct, and a Failed Attempt to Flee, Ends with His Arrest
Spokane Valley Deputies searched for a suspect who rode a bicycle into the Spokane Valley Precinct parking lot, stopped in front of a parked, unoccupied patrol car, and threw a metal object at the windshield, shattering it. The suspect then fled on his bright yellow bicycle. During a search, the suspect made several threats toward law enforcement that he was going to war. Deputies later located the suspect, and he was booked into jail on several misdemeanor and felony charges.
On August 24, 2026, at approximately 7:55 am, a Spokane Valley Precinct Security Officer advised a Deputy that a male on a yellow bike rode up to a patrol car parked in the Spokane Valley Precinct’s parking lot and threw something at it, causing damage. The Deputy investigated and found the patrol car's windshield shattered, rendering it inoperable, and located a large chunk of metal lying on the ground near the main entry door.
The Deputy used his radio to advise others of the malicious, criminal behavior, and he provided a description of the male, later identified as 31-year-old Thomas R. Phillips.
Using video surveillance of the crime and assistance from the Real-Time Crime Center, pictures of Phillips were quickly distributed to Patrol Deputies searching the area.
Soon after, a Deputy observed Phillips riding west on E. Appleway Boulevard near S. Park Road.
Just after 9:00 am, a Deputy began checking Camp Caro and asked a person enjoying the park if she had seen a male riding a yellow bicycle. She immediately answered yes and pointed back toward the log building to the south, saying the male appeared to be yelling at the sky.
The Deputy approached the male, Phillips, who was lying in the grass, and observed his yellow bike a short distance away. The Deputy told Phillips that he was detained and not free to leave as additional Deputies responded to assist. Phillips was uncooperative and fled into the woods on his bicycle despite efforts to stop him.
Deputies established a perimeter and soon after discovered Phillips’ bike, discarded on the trail.
At approximately 9:20 am, an employee of a business in the area reported that a suspicious male, matching Phillips’ description, had been at the store stating he had shattered a window, something about collecting weapons to wait in the park, and that he was ready to go to war with police.
With this information, Deputies were concerned for the public’s safety and the safety of law enforcement, and they continued searching the rugged area with assistance from K9 Units and UAS (drone) Operators.
A Deputy, trained as a Crisis Negotiator, found a phone number for Phillips and contacted him. He made several concerning comments, including that he wanted to go to war with law enforcement, before the call was ended.
While working with Detectives, a possible location for Phillips was discovered. A Deputy responded to the area of the 4300 block of S. Dishman Road, over 3.5 miles away from his last seen location.
When the Deputy arrived, Phillips was observed near a fence. The Deputy relayed this information on the radio and contacted Phillips, who was uncooperative and would not follow commands. After Phillips ignored several warnings that the Deputy would use force if he did not comply, the Deputy deployed pepper (OC) spray. Phillips then complied and was taken into custody.
Phillips received medical aid before being transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on felony charges of Harassment (3 counts), Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree, and misdemeanor charges of Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Law Enforcement, and Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree.
###
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
