[Vision2020] Tribune captures burglary arrest

[Bill London]

Thanks to David Johnson for another great article, and to Moscow cop Dani Vargas for job well done....  BL
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Lewiston Tribune
Burglary suspect arrested on new charges in Moscow
By David Johnson of the Tribune
July 8, 2010

MOSCOW - Stephen G. Peak, a 21-year-old Lewiston man, remained in jail here Wednesday on new charges after being chased and tackled by Moscow police officers.

Peak, who has a history of burglary arrests and was linked to the conviction of former Nez Perce County Sheriff Jim Dorion, is supposed to go to trial on July 19 for an alleged break-in at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. 

"Dani Vargas was on bike patrol last night just prior to 11 o'clock on the east end of town," Assistant Police Chief David Duke said, describing how the arrest unfolded Tuesday night.

Vargas, Duke said, was in the Village Mall area adjacent to the Troy Highway. "She noticed a male standing on the east side and he looked like he was trying to force entry. As she approached, he observed her and immediately took off on foot."

Peak, Duke said, is now charged with one count of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, one count each of resisting and obstructing and one count of possession of burglary tools after the Tuesday incident.

"He's also a person of interest in our Renaissance Mall break-ins from a couple of weeks ago," Duke said.

Duke lauded the actions of all officers involved, especially Vargas. "She was on her bike during some of the foot chase, and then the other times she was on foot." Duke said Peak fled through the Spence Hardware parking lot upon noticing Vargas, crossed the Troy Highway, apparently saw other officers, came back through the parking lot, crossed White Avenue and headed for Paradise Creek.

"Officer Vargas found him submerged in there trying to hide," Duke said, "at which time he again took off."

The suspect reportedly jumped fences in the Johnson Street area and ran into more officers, Duke said. "We had two officers over there, which caused him to come back through the creek, run by the Mormon church, and that's when officer Vargas tackled and apprehended him."

Police later retraced the route of the chase and found a pry bar, a screwdriver, a penlight and a police scanner. "He was using the penlight like a miner's headlamp," Duke said. "And he was listening to us while he was doing this."

Peak remained in the Latah County Jail Wednesday night.

Dorion was originally charged with three counts of felony accessory to burglary for allegedly helping Peak evade capture for a series of burglaries between 2006 and 2008. The former sheriff ultimately served four months in prison for concealing knowledge of a 2005 burglary at Lewiston High School.
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