Man arrested after burglary attempt turns into high-speed vehicle pursuit

A Washington resident was arrested by Boundary County law enforcement March 21 after a vehicle pursuit that began in Ponderay.  

Patrick R. Springer, 35, was apprehended near Highway 95 14 miles south of Bonners Ferry and is facing three charges in Bonner County — felony burglary, felony attempt to elude a police officer(s) and felony driving without privileges — and three charges in Boundary County — felony possession of controlled substance, felony excessive driving under the influence (subsequent offence) and felony attempt to elude a police officer(s).  

Springer is currently detained at Boundary County jail on $100,000 bail.  

According to a probable cause affidavit, Ponderay police officials were notified by Walmart Asset Protection on Friday afternoon after Springer allegedly stole over $300 worth of groceries and merchandise. According to court documents, when officials arrived at the scene and identified Springer inside his vehicle, Springer allegedly “sped up and aggressively turned east on Kootenai Cutoff (Road).”  

Court documents suggested that law enforcement continued to pursue Springer as he allegedly went over 60 mph inside Ponderay city limits (posted at 25 mph). Documents indicated that once Springer hit Highway 95, his speeds allegedly surpassed 100 mph. While on Highway 95, a probable cause affidavit suggests that Springer allegedly drove northbound in southbound lanes in an attempt to pass other cars, doing so “in a manner that endangered the property and persons of the public.”  

Court documents indicated that officials from both Bonner and Boundary County made attempts to deploy spike strips in an effort to slow down Springer. Officials reported that after two successful deployments, Springer allegedly turned onto a dirt road and crashed into a wooded drainage area, allegedly continuing his flee from officials on foot.  

Not long after the transition from vehicle to foot, Springer was eventually arrested and brought to Boundary County jail. According to a supplemental document, upon his arrest, officials noted an alleged variety of drug substances and drug paraphernalia in Springer’s vehicle.  

A probable cause affidavit indicated that Springer arrived at Boundary County Jail, a plastic bag with saliva on the inside was allegedly found in the backseat of the patrol vehicle. For preventative measures, the officer in charge of transporting Springer took him to Boundary Community Hospital, where Springer allegedly admitted to being a relapsed methamphetamine addict.  

After being cleared to leave, Springer was brought back to Boundary County jail. He is expected to make an appearance at court April 4.