SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — A suspect surrendered to SWAT and the Spokane County Sheriff's office around 11:45 Friday night after an hours-long standoff in Spokane Valley.
Deputies responded to a minor injury collision in the Bowdish Street and 32nd Avenue area at about 2:20 p.m. on Friday, according to Spokane County Sheriff's Cpl. Mark Gregory. While en route and at the scene, deputies were advised by multiple people that a driver, later identified as 49-year-old Chad R. Englehart, allegedly fled and was trying to break into residences.
Witnesses were able to direct deputies to a residence at 27th Avenue and Bates Street with an open door. Deputies contacted the homeowner, who said no one should be at the residence, according to Gregory. He said deputies then formed a perimeter and gave commands for the suspect to leave, but he would not surrender.
Deputies then requested assistance from SWAT, Gregory said. He added that the homeowner gave police permission to enter the home in addition to obtaining a warrant. The homeowner advised deputies that there were weapons in the home that Englehart could access.
Using an EDU robot, SWAT began to clear portions of the home. SWAT deployed chemical irritants after Englehart refused to peacefully surrender, Gregory said.
After several attempts to contact Englehart, SWAT team members entered the home with a K9, and located the suspect hiding under a bed. Englehart was in possession of several weapons, Gregory said. However, SWAT managed to take the suspect into custody safely.
Englehart was booked into Spokane County Jail on several charges, including residential burglary, felony hit, and run, and unlawful possession of a firearm.