Early Morning Chase Lands One Man in Jail - NBC Right Now/KNDO/KNDU Tri-Cities, Yakima, WA |

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPT: Spokane Police arrested Douglas Baker, a 23-year-old male for Attempt to Elude and Possession of a stolen vehicle after he led them on a chase throughout Spokane. Baker fled the stolen vehicle on foot then jumped into the Spokane River. Officers linked leg restraints together to pull Baker out of the river.

On 4/17/2012 Officer G. Baldwin was driving by the convenience store at Francis/Elgin when he noticed a Honda parked in front of the store. The passenger seemed to slouch down in the seat and the driver, who was out of the car, quickly returned to the car. Knowing this store gets robbed during the night, he turned around to check on the car.

When Ofc Baldwin got behind the car, the passenger fled on foot and the vehicle attempted to speed away. The Honda had been previously reported stolen.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle several times. At times Baker's actions caused officers to terminate the pursuit in the interest of safety. Baker continued to driver recklessly even though he was not being pursued by police.

Officers were able to initiate a Pursuit Intervention Technique and stop the vehicle near Mission/Perry. Baker fled on foot while being chased by officers on foot. Baker jumped into the river just east of Whittier Pool. Baker attempted to swim away but turned around and swam back to officers. Baker stopped swimming and officers were able to link together leg restraints and throw it to Baker.

Baker was transported to a local hospital to be checked by a doctor of exposure. He was quickly cleared by the hospital and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Attempt to Elude and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. 

The owners of the stolen Honda responded to the scene and drove their car home.

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SPOKANE, Wash. - An early morning chase has landed one man in jail, but not before he took a dip in the Spokane River. 

It all started around four Tuesday morning.  Spokane Police tell us they spotted two people acting suspiciously in a car outside the Zip Trip on W. Francis.  After running the plates on the car, police found that the car was stolen.  The passenger of the vehicle then jumped out of the vehicle and took off on foot.  The driver of the car took off and led police on a chase through the streets of Spokane, at some points during the chase, the suspect vehicle was going upwards of 60 MPH. 

Police were forced to terminate the chase a couple of times, but eventually were able to use a pit maneuver to stop the suspect.  After about ten minutes, police were able to stop the suspect's vehicle near Mission Park in east Spokane.  The suspect then got out of the vehicle and took off running.  He eventually jumped in the Spokane River and had to be rescued by local fire crews.

The suspect is facing multiple charges this morning. We're still waiting on more information about him and what exactly those charges will be.  You can look for more information tonight on KHQ Local News at 5 and 6.