Empty gas tank leads to arrest

COLFAX—Two suspects were arrested for eluding and theft after running out of gas in an attempt to avoid being taken into custody.

The two suspects, Corey Ness, 41, and Tamia Kimball, 55, both of Spokane, were taken into custody the evening of Monday, Feb. 20, for retail theft in the 2nd degree.

According to a Whitman County Sheriff’s Office press release from Tuesday, Feb. 21, Monday evening deputies were advised of a theft in progress at Walmart in Pullman. The Pullman Police Department located the suspect vehicle, and attempted to stop the vehicle. The pursuit was terminated when the suspects did not stop.

The Whitman County Sheriff’s then located the vehicle in Colfax driving northbound, and attempted to stop them. The suspects did not stop, and were travelling over 80 miles per hour in the posted 25 mph zone near Colfax Schools. The pursuit was terminated, with the vehicle driving northbound on SR 195 out of Colfax.

Deputies checked SR 195, locating the vehicle parked and unoccupied on SR 271 near milepost 7.5 between Rosalia and Oakesdale. It was determined the the suspects had run out of gas.

Ness was located hitchhiking east of the vehicle on SR 271, and was arrested for retail theft in the 2nd degree.

Kimball, having left the scene, attempted to flag down a patrol car for a ride, and was arrested for eluding, retail theft in the 2nd degree, and driving with license suspended in the 3rd degree.

Both suspects were transported to the Whitman County Jail, and made their first court appearance on Tuesday, Feb. 21.