Wanted Suspect Located by K9 Bo After Jumping Fences and Trying to Hide in Attempt to Escape Arrest
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a trespassing call in the 3600 block of E. Francis. Deputies found the suspect had an active warrant for his arrest and located him a short distance away. The suspect ran from Deputies, entering two secured business lots as he tried to hide and evade arrest. Deputies established a perimeter and gave multiple announcements and warnings, advising him to surrender and that a K9 would be used to find him, which the suspect ignored. After additional announcements, K9 Bo was deployed. K9 Bo quickly located the suspect hiding under a truck, and he was arrested on his warrant and several new felony/misdemeanor charges.
On May 22, 2025, at approximately 1:35 am, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 3600 block of E. Francis Avenue for the report of a trespasser. The employee stated a male, later identified as 32-year-old Damon J. Smith, was going through the store’s dumpster and became argumentative when told to leave.
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Officers advised responding Deputies that Smith had an active and confirmed warrant for Cyber Stalking.
Deputies contacted the employee and learned Smith was told to leave, but he became argumentative. Instead, Smith wandered around the parking lot, yelling at staff and customers. He told Deputies that he wanted Smith trespassed from the location due to his continued disruptive behavior.
Deputies began searching the area and located Smith walking on N. Julia Street near E. Central Avenue. A Deputy asked Smith to stop and what his name was, but Smith continued to walk away, saying he didn’t need to provide his name. The Deputy told Smith he was not free to leave and that he had a warrant for his arrest.
Hearing this, Smith ran away. The Deputy followed in his patrol car, and additional Deputies responded to assist. Smith entered the secured/fenced lots of two businesses while trying to evade Deputies and escape arrest.
Deputies established a perimeter around a business in the 3800 block of E. Central Avenue, where Smith was last seen and believed to be hiding. They gave several PA announcements advising Smith that he was under arrest and needed to surrender. He was also warned that if he did not surrender, a K9 would be used to find him, and he could be bitten, but Smith ignored all commands.
A Spokane Police UAV operator arrived to assist with an aerial search, as did K9 Bo. Despite additional announcements and warnings, Smith remained defiant and would not peacefully surrender.
With Smith having numerous places to hide, the fact he had an active warrant for his arrest, his active attempt to flee, in addition to new felony and misdemeanor crimes, and not knowing if he was armed, K9 Bo was deployed. K9 Bo began searching and quickly located Smith hiding under a truck.
Smith continued to disobey commands, but he finally gave up and was taken into custody.
After being advised of his rights, Smith apologized to Deputies for running. He admitted to hearing the announcements but thought Deputies would give up and leave if he stayed hidden.
After being medically cleared, Smith was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for two counts of Burglary 2nd Degree, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing, and his warrant for Cyber Stalking.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Wanted Suspect Located by K9 Bo After Jumping Fences and Trying to Hide in Attempt to Escape Arrest" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7