PIT Maneuver Ends Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle with Stolen Plates - Air 1 Tracks Suspect from Above скачать в хорошем качестве

PIT Maneuver Ends Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle with Stolen Plates - Air 1 Tracks Suspect from Above

On September 13, 2025, at approximately 9:30 pm, a Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Officer advised Deputies of an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Stolen License Plate Flock Alert near N. Regal Street and E. Magnesium Road. Attempts to locate the vehicle were unsuccessful. A Deputy began checking reports associated with the stolen license plates and learned they were reported stolen earlier the same day (September 13, 2025, at approximately 11:05 am) in the City of Spokane. At that time, the victim reported that the license plates from his vehicle, a black 2007 Hyundai, were stolen and likely swapped with another set of Washington license plates that were left at the scene. He provided the license plate numbers of the ones left when his plates were stolen. The Deputy checked those license plates and learned they belonged to a black 2011 Hyundai that was reported stolen in Moses Lake, WA., on September 4, 2025. The Deputy, believing that the stolen license plates were likely installed on the reported stolen vehicle from Moses Lake, advised other Deputies in the area and continued looking for additional information. At approximately 10:00 pm, Deputies received information of a second ALPR Alert for the same stolen license plate in the same area. Air 1 located the car traveling west on Francis Avenue at N. Smith Street and advised Patrol Deputies on the ground. A Deputy in a fully marked patrol car caught up to the suspect’s vehicle and got behind it on Francis in the southbound turn lane to go south on Nevada, as a second unmarked patrol car arrived to assist. With emergency lights and sirens activated on the patrol vehicles, the suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Jose C. Nunez, slowly turned west on Decatur Avenue, passing by another fully marked patrol car with emergency lights activated, and slowed almost to a stop. Suddenly, instead of stopping, Nunez accelerated to speeds of approximately 45-55 mph. With no pedestrian or vehicle traffic in the area, the Deputies continued to follow as Air 1 watched from above. Nunez continued his attempt to elude the patrol vehicles, disregarding stop signs and speed limits, but Deputies were able to stay close as Air 1 followed the suspect’s vehicle. Later, now south on Pittsburg Avenue, Nunez turned east on Holyoake, where one of the Deputies attempted a PIT Maneuver to end the pursuit, but Nunez accelerated, and the attempt was unsuccessful. Nunez made his way around and was now back heading eastbound on Francis before turning south on Market Street. Now, on a 4-lane roadway, with little to no traffic in the area, the Deputies again moved into position to try a PIT Maneuver in the 5800 block of N. Market Street. They wanted to safely end this pursuit before Nunez could increase the likelihood of injuring an unsuspecting motorist or pedestrian as he recklessly made his way into a more populated and congested area. The suspect vehicle spun into the median, continued rolling backward, and collided with an SUV that was stopped in the far-right northbound lane of Market Street. Realizing he was caught, Nunez exited the vehicle, followed commands, and was taken into custody. The adult female passenger in the car was cooperative and was detained. Nunez was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions. He said he didn’t stop because he knew he had a warrant for his arrest. He later told another Deputy that he used to play a video game called “Driver,” where he ran from the police all the time. He said he saw the emergency lights tonight and decided to try to evade law enforcement in real life. Showing no concern for the safety of the public, his passenger, or himself, Nunez continued to say that it was the top five most fun moments in his life. The adult female passenger stated that she has known Nunez for approximately three years, and he picked her up earlier in the day, around 3:00 pm. She told him to pull over when the Deputies tried to stop him, but he told her that he couldn’t because the car was stolen. She asked multiple times to be let out of the vehicle, but Nunez said no and that he couldn’t let her out. Through the investigation, Deputies determined the female was a victim of False Imprisonment and she was released without charges. Deputies also learned the car driven by Nunez was indeed the reported stolen car from Moses Lake. Nunez was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Imprisonment, and Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, in addition to his unrelated misdemeanor warrant for Driving while Suspended 3rd Degree. The occupants of the SUV hit by Nunez were uninjured. Air 1 Flight Crew Pilot: Sam Pierce TFO: C. Ruff, Detective, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office TFO: C. Garza, Deputy, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office