SPOKANE, Wash. – After Flock Cameras alerted the Spokane Sheriff’s Office about a stolen license plate reading, deputies used air support to track and chase down the suspect.
According to the Spokane Sheriff’s Office, on September 13, 2025 around 9:30 p.m. the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications officer reported a Stolen License Plate Flock Alert near North Regal Street and East Magnesium Road.
A deputy checked reports associated with the stolen license plates and learned that they were reported stolen earlier that same day in the City of Spokane.
However, the model of the car was different, meaning that the suspect likely stole the car and switched the plates to a different vehicle, according to the office.
Around 10 p.m. that night, deputies received another alert about the stolen license and used air support to locate that car traveling west on Francis Avenue at North Smith Street.
A deputy in a fully marked car attempted to pull over the suspect’s car, but the suspect sped up and fled after briefly slowing down.
Two deputies in separate vehicles chased the suspect, who was also being tracked by Air 1, the deputies’ air support.
Eventually deputies stopped the suspect’s car using a PIT maneuver in the 5800 block of North Market Street.
Once his car crashed, the suspect gave himself up. He was identified as 37-year-old Jose C Nunez.
There was also a woman in the car who had known Nunez for three years, but said that she had repeatedly told him that she wanted to get out of the car once he decided not to stop.
Deputies determined that she was a victim of False Imprisonment and she was released without charges.
Nunez agreed to answer questions and said that he didn’t want to stop for the police because he knew he had a warrant out for his arrest.
Spokane Sheriff’s Office reported that later, Nunez told a deputy that he used to play a video game called “Driver” where he ran from police and that influenced his decision to try evading police in real life. He also said that it was “the top five most fun moments in his life,” according to the Sheriff’s office.
Nunez was booked into Spokane County Jail for Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Imprisonment and Possession of Stolen Property.
The Spokane Sheriff’s Office released a video of the chase on their YouTube page.
