Eluding suspect facing 9 charges

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man racked up nine criminal charges after trying to outrun a Sandpoint Police officer through a residential neighborhood, crashing his pickup truck and attempting to flee on foot.

Dale Lawrence Spencer is facing felony charges of eluding, illegal possession of  prescription drugs and driving under the influence. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, marijuana possession, having an open container of alcohol, leaving the scene of a crash and having no proof of liability insurance.

Spencer, 28, was ordered held Friday in lieu of $225,000 bail. Spencer told Judge Justin Julian he plans to seek private counsel to defend him, court records indicate.

A Sandpoint Police officer pulled Spencer over for failure to stop at about 11:30 p.m., but he allegedly sped off and attempted to lose the officer on by racing southbound on Forest Avenue. A police report said Spencer’s Toyota Tacoma reached speeds topping 60 mph as it flew through yield and stop signs.

The extended cab truck reportedly went airborne when it crossed Main Street. The officer kept his speed to about 40 mph and watched as Spencer lost control and crashed at Forest and Church, the report said.

Spencer bailed out of the rig, but was found hiding next to a home in the 700 block of Church, the report indicated. A search of the truck turned up nearly 40 methadone tablets, plus more than 16 grams of pot.