Armed fugitive arrested after brief foot chase

SANDPOINT — An armed fugitive from California was arrested early Saturday morning after a brief struggle with Sandpoint Police officers.

Joel Perry Rusher is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm that turned out to be stolen, possession of heroin and resisting arrest. He was also wanted on a California warrant for a weapons violation.

Judge Debra Heise set Rusher’s bail at $115,000 on Monday and appointed a public defender to represent him.

An officer on bike patrol in the 500 block of Forest Avenue spotted Rusher on a doorstep shortly after 2 a.m.

Rusher matched the description of a subject who was reportedly “waving a gun around,” the arrest report said.

Rusher, 30, identified himself and a background check revealed a pending arrest warrant out of Jackson, Calif. When advised of the warrant, Rusher allegedly attempted to flee on foot.

Officer Steve Chamberlain gave chase and tackled Rusher to the ground, the report said. Officer Josh VanDyke helped Chamberlain subdue Rusher.

A loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol was found in Rusher’s waistband and a sunglasses case in his pocket held two hypodermic needles containing a substance which tested positive for heroin.

The Smith & Wesson handgun was reported by a retired Fresno, Calif., police officer living in Sagle. A search of Rusher’s travel trailer in Sagle allegedly turned up a 12-gauge Mossberg tactical shotgun which the retiree had also reported stolen.