Suspect Driving Stolen Vehicle Attempts to Evade Deputies, Later Located and Contacted by a K9
Suspect Driving Stolen Vehicle Attempts to Evade Deputies, Later Located and Contacted by a K9
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to assist Airway Heights Police in locating a reported stolen vehicle believed to be in Spokane Valley. Deputies found the stolen SUV near Sullivan Road and Mission Avenue, but the suspect chose to flee instead of stopping as required by law. Deputies terminated the pursuit because the suspect was traveling at a recklessly high speed. Additional Deputies in the area successfully deployed spike strips, causing the passenger’s side tires to deflate, but the suspect was not deterred and continued his dangerous and reckless behavior. The suspect bailed out on foot as Deputies established a perimeter for a K9 track. Despite multiple warnings and announcements, the suspect tried to hide. The K9 Deputy and his partner continued their search, which ended when the K9 located the suspect and made contact. He was taken into custody on multiple charges and provided medical attention. After he was medically cleared, he was booked into jail on various charges.
On August 12, 2026, at approximately 9:30 pm, a Spokane Valley Deputy responded to the area of N. Grady Road and E. Boone Avenue to assist an Airway Heights Police Officer who was attempting to locate a stolen vehicle, a white Chevrolet Traverse. He did not locate the vehicle but learned that the suspect, later identified as 41-year-old Michael L. Bridges, had an active misdemeanor warrant for reckless driving and might be heading to the transit station near E. Indiana Avenue and N. Mirabeau Parkway.
The Deputy relayed this information, via radio, to other Deputies in the area.
Minutes later, a Deputy advised he located the stolen vehicle near N. Sullivan Road and E. Mission Avenue and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Unfortunately, Bridges made a poor choice and attempted to elude the Deputies instead of pulling over and stopping as required by Washington RCW.
The Deputies advised that the stolen SUV driven by Bridges was taking off at a high rate of speed and they were in pursuit, westbound on Mission Avenue. With light traffic in the area and yielding to the emergency vehicles, the pursuit continued to about Mission Avenue and N. Houk Road before it was terminated for the safety of unsuspecting motorists, pedestrians, the suspect, and Deputies.
Bridges was last seen traveling north on Pines Road at a high rate of speed.
Minutes later, another Deputy spotted the stolen SUV near the intersection of E. Trent Avenue and N. University Road and advised of its location. Bridges continued west on Trent, where a Deputy was waiting at Argonne Road and successfully deployed spike strips. The SUV’s passenger-side tires began to deflate.
Deputies continued to follow the SUV at a distance, trying to maintain visual contact, but they did not pursue as Bridges turned north on Park Road at excess speed.
At N. Park Road and E. Euclid Avenue, Bridges stopped the vehicle and bailed on foot. Deputies quickly established a perimeter as a K9 Unit responded to assist.
Perimeter units made multiple announcements advising Bridges to surrender and warning that if he didn’t, a K9 would be used to find him and he may be bitten. Bridges again chose to ignore the commands and warnings as he tried to escape.
At approximately 10:30 pm, a K9 found Bridges and made contact. After Bridges was taken into custody, he complained of medical conditions, and he was provided with medical treatment.
At the hospital, Bridges did not answer questions. After he was medically cleared, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on multiple charges.
Bridges remains in custody with a total bond set at $26,000 on charges of Taking a Motor Vehicle without Consent 2nd Degree, Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Vehicle, and his Reckless Driving warrant. He could also face charges of Obstructing/Resisting Arrest, Hit-and-Run Property Damage, and No Valid Operator’s (Driver’s) License.
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