SPOKANE VALLEY, WA — A burglary suspect who refused to surrender to law enforcement caused over $6,500 in property damage and assaulted deputies during his arrest Tuesday morning, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 7:20 a.m. to a report of a possible burglary in progress at a residence near 5th Avenue and South McKinnon Road. A neighbor told authorities that a man, later identified as 31-year-old Guillermo Gutierres-Ortiz, appeared intoxicated and was going in and out of the house. At one point, the man was reportedly using a torch or welding equipment.
Deputies arrived within minutes, saw Gutierres-Ortiz inside, and attempted for nearly an hour to get him to surrender. Despite loudspeaker announcements, sirens, and negotiations by a crisis-trained deputy, Gutierres-Ortiz refused to exit the residence and instead climbed onto the roof. At times, he claimed he was “fixing the home” and didn’t have time for deputies.
When contacted, the homeowner confirmed Gutierres-Ortiz did not have permission to be on the property and wished to press charges.
Deputies, concerned for safety and unsure if Gutierres-Ortiz was armed—having seen a machete sheath inside and a chimney brick positioned near him on the roof—deployed less-lethal force including pepper balls and beanbag rounds. When Gutierres-Ortiz moved closer to a construction platform, deputies pulled him down, where he violently resisted arrest, allegedly biting one deputy twice and kicking another.
The altercation continued as Gutierres-Ortiz was restrained and evaluated by medics. Deputies also seized his truck pending a search warrant. The homeowner later estimated property damages at over $6,500.
Both deputies received medical attention on site and were able to return to duty. The deputy who was bitten was wearing gloves, which prevented skin from being broken.
Gutierres-Ortiz was booked into the Spokane County Jail on multiple charges including residential burglary, first-degree malicious mischief, three counts of third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and obstructing. He is scheduled to appear in Spokane County Superior Court this afternoon.
