MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. — A Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy arrested a uncooperative driver in Medical Lake after he failed to stop at a stop sign, claiming to be “traveling, not driving”.
On Nov. 2 around 5:30 p.m., a Spokane County Sheriff’s deputy saw a black Dodge Ram truck fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of south Hallett Street and east Campbell Street.
The deputy also saw that the truck’s headlights were not on, while the rear taillights and side marker lights were working.
The driver, 38-year-old Christopher Baker, was pulled over and became confrontational with the deputy as he asked why he didn’t stop.
Baker replied by saying he was “traveling” and not driving.
As the deputy asked for Baker’s identification, he refused, even when asked multiple times.
With assistance from additional personnel, the deputy found that Baker showed the same uncooperative demeanor with other law enforcement officers. Baker’s record showed that he has valid misdemeanor arrest warrants.
As two Washington State troopers arrived, Baker was asked to exit his vehicle and was safely taken into custody.
During a search, troopers found a small clear bag with a white/brown crystal-like substance, believed to methamphetamine, in his pocket. Baker’s drivers license showed that it had been suspended and that he was required to have a ignition interlock device installed in his vehicle, which was not.
38-year-old Baker was transported and booked into Spokane County Jail for new charges of driving while suspended, operating a vehicle without an interlock and refusing to show identification. He was also booked for previous warrants for charges of operating a vehicle without interlock, no valid drivers license, failure to transfer title within 45 days and possession of a controlled substance.
He was also issued tickets for failure to stop at a stop sign, expired registration and defective headlights.
About 30 minutes after being booked, Baker was released on his own recognizance.
