Man wanted in Snohomish, Chelan county crime sprees arrested in Montana

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. — A Sultan man wanted in a series of crimes in Snohomish and Chelan counties has been arrested in Montana, Mineral County Sheriff Mike Toth said Friday.

Jessie Spitzer, 30, was wanted for first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle in Snohomish County.

A warrant for his arrest was issued out of Chelan County Superior Court. Charges include two counts of theft of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree burglary, residential burglary, and theft of a motor vehicle.

Chelan County detectives said they had found probable cause to also arrest Spitzer on charges of second-degree theft, attempting to elude, obstructing a law enforcement officer, and possession of stolen property.

He was also wanted for crimes in Idaho.

Spitzer was arrested Friday morning near the town of Haugan.

On Jan. 21, a SWAT team was called to an incident in east Snohomish County involving Spitzer but was unable to find him.

The next day, a K-9 unit tracked Spitzer into the woods in Gold Bar before he escaped.

On Jan. 23, Spitzer was believed to be involved in a series of crimes following a burglary in Hay Canyon in Chelan County.

On Jan. 25, Spitzer was found in Post Falls, Idaho, driving a pickup truck stolen from Tree Top in Wenatchee, but he fled back to Washington, according to the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office.

The morning of Jan. 26, Spitzer was identified as a suspect in a burglary in Post Falls and fled from officers. Snohomish County officials said he was armed with a gun.

He was confronted by officers in Kellogg, Idaho, Thursday night.

They pursued him over Lookout Pass and into Montana, where the vehicle he was driving was disabled near the town of Haugan.

Toth said Spitzer was found hiding in a camper near Haugan.

His criminal record includes convictions for attempted murder with a deadly weapon and burglary in Nevada.

Snohomish County authorities said Spitzer was believed to have shaved his head and used makeup to cover his face tattoos.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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