SPD Assists Stevens County Sheriff’s Office Locate a Reckless Vehicle

SPD Assists Stevens County Sheriff's Office Locate a Reckless Vehicle

Officer T. Leming, PIO

Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 8:17 a.m.

On July 21^st, 2026 around 8 p.m., dispatchers advised over the radio that Stevens County Sheriff's Deputies were in a pursuit with a black Chevy Silverado. The pursuit was moving into the city, and the truck was southbound on N. Monroe St. from W. Francis Ave. Due to the increased risk to the public, Stevens County Sheriff's deputies terminated the pursuit.

Spokane Police officers never engaged in the pursuit but assisted with the use of drone technology instead. Spokane Police Air Support Unit drone pilots launched a drone from one of the Skydio DFR pods we are currently testing and quicky located the Chevy Silverado driving at a high rate of speed southbound on N. Monroe St. Without the visible presence of police vehicles in the area, the truck slowed to normal speeds.

Air Support Unit (ASU) officers were able to provide continual overwatch on the vehicle along with real-time updates to patrol officers. The truck was observed making several turns before parking in an apartment complex briefly. It was then seen driving eastbound through an alley just north of W. Boone Ave and crashing through a fence, rendering it disabled. The two occupants immediately fled on foot but were quickly apprehended by SPD officers.

Stevens County Sheriff's deputies responded and took Jack W. Crowther (40) into custody. They seized his truck and backpack pending a search warrant. It was reported the backpack contained firearms, narcotics, and cash.

Spokane police officers arrested Roy J. Blevins (55), the driver of the truck at the time of the collision, for DUI, Operating with License Suspended 1^st Degree, Vehicle Hit and Run-Property Damage, Driving Without Ignition Interlock Device, and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Blevins was also booked on two warrants stemming from prior driving incidents.

No community members or officers were injured during this incident.

This event highlights the value SPD's drone program brings to both the department and the community. ASU is currently test piloting Skydio X10 Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and has had great success over the past weeks. Without drone overwatch, it is likely these suspects wouldn't have been located and arrested.

Watch the drone video: here.

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