Man pepper sprayed, arrested following early morning pursuit
Published at | Updated at
IDAHO FALLS– A man led police on a pursuit early Friday morning and was pepper sprayed when he refused to leave his vehicle, according to Idaho State Police.
The ordeal began in Idaho Falls around 12:30 a.m. when city police say they tried to stop 28-year-old Jason Lundholm of Terreton, near J Street and Lake Avenue in Idaho Falls.
“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle for speeding and general traffic violations,” Idaho Falls Police Sgt. Scott Killian tells EastIdahoNews.com.
As the officer was approaching Lundholm’s vehicle, Lundholm drove away at a high rate of speed.
Killian says Lundholm fled from the officers in a BMW. Police did not pursue him but a short time later he was spotted on I-15 traveling northbound.
An Idaho State Police trooper located Lundholm on northbound I-15, the trooper could see Lundholm was failing to maintain his lane.
Idaho State Police attempted to stop Lundholm but he refused to pull over.
“This was late at night and there was virtually no traffic on the highway,” Idaho State Police Lt. Chris Weadick says. “We continued our pursuit of the vehicle and attempted to use a spike strip to stop him.”
A Bonneville County Sheriff’s Deputy deployed a spike strip near milepost 119 in an attempt to flatten Lundholm’s tires and stop him. Police say Lundholm crossed the median to avoid the strip and in the process struck an ISP vehicle and a light pole, which fell to the ground.
Police say the pursuit continued about ten miles until Lundholm ran over a second spike strip that had been placed on the road.
“The second spike strip was successful – deflating three of the four tires,” Weadick says.
Weadick says Lundholm still failed to stop and continued until a trooper was able to stop the vehicle by utilizing the Pursuit Intervention Technique, or PIT maneuver. Lundholm’s vehicle came to rest in the median of I-15 and Lundholm was taken into custody.
“An officer made contact with the vehicle, ending the pursuit, at that time he refused to exit,” Weadick says.
Pepper spray was deployed, according to Weadick, and Lundholm was taken into custody.
Lundholm was found to be in possession of meth, heroin, morphine, a hypodermic needle a pipe and other drug paraphernalia, according to police.
Lundholm was booked into Bonneville County Jail on three felony controlled substance charges, two felony evading an officer charges, a misdemeanor DUI charge and a misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.
Court records show Lundholm has six prior pending misdemeanor charges.
In February, he was arrested and charged with DUI, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphanlia, carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence, and possession of a medication without a prescription. Lundholm posted a $2200 bond.
In March, Lundholm was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. This arrest revoked his previous bond. Lundholm posted $600 bond on this arrest and posted $5000 bond that was increased from his February arrest.
Lundholm bond was set at $50,000.