‘Open’ 911 call leads to arrest of man accused of trying to steal car, holding man against his will

A person is accused of attempting to steal a different man’s auto and keeping the man or woman from his will Wednesday in Spokane Valley. Deputies stated the victim’s recurring “open” 911 phone calls while in captivity helped them capture the suspect.

Deputies uncovered Christopher S. Benefield, 40, in shrubbery and arrested him on suspicion of unlawful imprisonment, tried theft of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor harassment, according to a Spokane County Sheriff’s Business office news release. Benefield was still in the Spokane County Jail Saturday evening with a $5,000 bond.

Spokane Valley deputies responded to a “trouble unknown call” close to 12:10 p.m. Wednesday at an apartment on the 15700 block of East Sprague Avenue, deputies claimed. 911 get in touch with-takers acquired numerous “open” 911 phone calls from the very same number. Voices could be listened to in the course of the phone calls, but no a person was instantly talking into the phone.

The sufferer, who was unhurt, told just one deputy at the condominium elaborate that Benefield attempted to steal his car or truck before functioning east and leaping about a fence, deputies reported. They explained they acquired Benefield and a further male stopped the target from leaving an apartment device at the elaborate simply because they considered the sufferer experienced stolen a further person’s wallet. The sufferer denied taking the wallet, but the suspects allegedly explained to him he experienced to keep the place he was until finally the operator of the wallet arrived.

Even though they blocked any escape routes, the suspects reportedly “brandished air-run pistols when detailing the pistol’s abilities,” the release stated.

As they waited, a pal of the target arrived at the condominium and coaxed the victim earlier the suspects and outside. When cost-free, the sufferer fled and named 911 once more .

With the assist of a K-9 device, deputies quickly situated Benefield hiding in shrubs in the apartment elaborate around exactly where the alleged crimes occurred. He was arrested without having incident. An air pistol and a established of keys, afterwards established to be the victim’s vehicle keys, have been located in his possession.

The second suspect has not been found, but deputies stated they know his identification. The incident is underneath investigation.