Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Man caught in intoxicated state after attempted burglary
COLFAX — Local Whitman County man Nicholas J. Bunch, 40, was arrested and booked into the Whitman County Jail after attempting to steal a vehicle while armed on Friday, June 9.
Bunch has been charged with Burglary in the First Degree, two counts of Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission in the Second Degree, Driving With License Suspended (DWLS) in the Second Degree, Harassment with Threats to Kill, Failing to Drive a Vehicle with Ignition Interlock Built-In and Driving Under the Influence.
The Garfield native appeared under the influence of alcohol and drugs at his arrest and was armed with four knives varying in size.
Whitman County Sergeant Dan Brown responded to the scene following a report from Amber Sellars off Dry Creek Road at approximately 4:25 p.m.
Court documents report that she had gone outside to unload her car when she saw a man walking towards her in one of her barns.
Brown arrived at her residence and was informed that Bunch had just left her home in a blue car and was heading eastward. Brown caught up to the suspect and provided the vehicle registration to WHITCOM near Milepost (MP) 8. Bunch slowed to approximately 40 mph after Brown activated emergency lights but did not pull over. The vehicle continued eastward and was driving on the eastbound fog line.
Brown then activated his siren. The vehicle continued east on the roadway, slowing down to approximately 25 mph, reports say.
Brown confirmed this was the blue Jetta involved in a traffic offense near Cedar Street that Washington State Patrol (WSP) Trooper Jim Retzer had been trying to locate following a threat the driver had made to a citizen.
The vehicle came to a stop near MP 9 on Dry Creek Road. Brown performed a high-risk stop on the vehicle and driver. Brown reports that while standing next to the car, he could smell the odor of intoxicants on Bunch.
Bunch told Brown he was supposed to meet Brian Kriebel at a church. When asked which church, Bunch did not respond.
This was not Bunch’s first incident or run-in with the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office. This was the second time in approximately six months that Bunch had gone to the Sellars’ property on Dry Creek Road and stolen or attempted to steal their vehicles. Bunch was previously convicted after trespassing on the property on Saturday, January 7. The stolen vehicle was located in Pullman later in the evening on the day.
Deputy Time Cox arrived on the scene with Brown and Bunch and took custody of Bunch. Bunch was transported to the Whitman County Jail.
At approximately 8:10 p.m., Brown requested Deputy Amy Pilloud to assist in conducting a Blood Alcohol concentration (BAC) breath test. Bunch refused; Deputy Pilloud applied and was granted a search warrant by Judge John Hart to get a blood draw from Bunch.
Bunch reportedly made the process very challenging to draw blood.
Colfax Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attempted to get the blood drawn from Bunch, but we were unsuccessful. Brown later instructed EMS to disregard it.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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