POST FALLS, IDAHO – In the early morning hours of January 26th, 2022, the Post Falls Police Department was investigating a vehicle burglary where a firearm was stolen on Clearwater Loop. During that investigation a nearby resident in Woodbridge Subdivision reported seeing a suspicious man wearing a backpack approaching the neighbors residence.
Officers arrived in the area and located the man. When confronted, the suspect brandished a firearm threatening to shoot himself if officers didn’t leave. A foot chase began as the suspect ran through yards and jumped fences in the Woodbridge subdivision.
Quickly officers set a perimeter and a reverse 911 was completed alerting area residents to the police activity, and surrounding neighbors were evacuated or told o shelter in place for their safety.
Believing the suspect was inside a shed in the backyard of a residence on Lynwood Ct. and due to the suspect being armed and dangerous, the Post Falls Special Response Team was activated and responded to the scene. The shed and adjacent properties were cleared, and the suspect was not located, though evidence and two firearms were located.
The suspect is believed to be Jesse Spitzer, a 30-year-old man from Sultan, WA. Spitzer is a career criminal who was sentenced to prison in 2011 for shooting at a Sheriff’s Deputy in Nevada during a burglary spree. If you have any information to the whereabouts of Spitzer, please contact the Post Falls Police Department at (208) 773-3517 or email tips to detectives@postfallspolice.com. Spitzer is considered armed and dangerous.
We want to thank our partner agencies, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho State Police, Rathdrum Police department, and the Coeur d’ Alene Police Department for their assistance during this incident.
Release Date: January 26th, 2022
Contact: Captain Jason Mealer
Phone: (208) 773-3517 |