Deputies rescue rape suspect from burning home

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies entered a burning mobile home early this morning and pulled out a knife-wielding rape suspect who was holding a homemade flame thrower. Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release that deputies were summoned to the home of David Wayne Jewell in Chattaroy after a teenager on Tuesday night reported the rape of another child. Deputies Marc Melville and Samson Palmer arrived at 1:20 a.m. at the home located at 34100 N. Newport Highway, Reagan said. Jewell was inside the home but refused to come out as dispatchers spoke to him by telephone and asked him to come outside. Jewell remained in the home but sent three children out the front door. “While deputies watched, Jewell took a cigarette lighter and aerosol can of some type and began setting fire to curtains, cabinets and blinds inside the kitchen and living area,” Reagan said in the release. Other deputies, Rob Satake and Daryl Smith, also arrived on scene as Jewell continued his outburst, Reagan said. “Jewell began waving the burning aerosol can at the deputies and they could see he had picked up a knife,” Reagan wrote. “The flames were becoming more intense and it was unknown if there were other potential victims inside.” Satake then opened a screen door while Melville kicked in the main door. Jewell retreated inside but continued to hold the burning can and knife. When he refused to drop the items, Satake shot Jewell with his Taser. “The deputies handcuffed the suspect and dragged him from the burning interior. Smith began pulling down burning drapes in the living room while Satake began filling pans with water,” Reagan wrote. “The two extinguished as much of the fire as they were able, then conducted a sweep of the trailer.” The deputies didn’t find anyone else but did find two dogs under a bed. Firefighters then arrived to ensure the fire was out, Reagan said. “The deputies determined that Jewell had consumed a large amount of pain medications and he was transported to a downtown hospital for treatment before being booked into jail,” Reagan said in the release. Detectives were following up the previous rape report and the children removed from the burning home were released to the custody of a grandparent. The investigation is continuing, Reagan said.