In brief: Man wanted in Idaho found in Vermont

Kootenai County authorities will try to extradite a man who Post Falls police say fled the country and faked his death to escape prosecution for sexually molesting a 12-year-old girl.

Vermont State Police arrested Timothy Eugene Estep, 50, on April 20 when he tried to re-enter the United States from Canada, the Post Falls Police Department said Friday. For 10 months Estep has been wanted on a $150,000 warrant for lewd conduct with a minor under the age of 16, police said.

Police began investigating Estep in July after he was accused of luring the neighborhood girl into his home and molesting her. Toward the end of the investigation, Estep sold his home and fled, investigators said.

Police recently got a break in the case when Canadian authorities in Newfoundland contacted them to report they found Estep’s clothing and wallet near a cliff. It appeared he wanted authorities to believe he committed suicide by jumping off it, Post Falls police Lt. Greg McLean said.

Inconsistencies led Canadian authorities to conclude Estep had faked his death, McLean said.

The suspect was arrested two weeks ago near Newport, Vt., and police there notified Kootenai County officials. The county began the extradition process to bring Estep back to face the lewd conduct charge. However, Post Falls police were not immediately informed Estep was in custody because of a communications breakdown, McLean said.

– Scott Maben

Kootenai County

Construction group appeals plan’s rejection

Copper Basin Construction has appealed the Kootenai County commission’s rejection of a request to put 700 houses on the Rathdrum Prairie.

The Hayden-based company filed the appeal in 1st District Court on Thursday, according to County Attorney John Cafferty.

In March, the commission unanimously denied a request to change the zoning on 290 acres of farmland to allow five houses per acre. The change would have allowed the company to build 700 single-family houses priced from $135,000 to $200,000.

The commission ruled that putting the houses on the prairie could damage the aquifer.

The development along Highway 53, between Pleasant View and McGuire roads, would have included a sewage treatment system. Plans called for the company to store treated effluent in lagoons and use it to irrigate about 80 acres of open space, where high-voltage power lines and a natural gas pipeline bisect the property.

Copper Basin representatives weren’t available for comment Friday.

– Erica Curless

Biker in good condition after hitting truck

A 71-year-old Bonner County man drove his motorcycle into the side of a logging truck Friday afternoon just yards from Kootenai Medical Center.

Konrad Westphal, who lives north of Spirit Lake, was eastbound on Ironwood Drive when he struck a fully loaded truck and trailer headed south on U.S. 95, Coeur d’Alene police Capt. Ron Clark said.

Westphal, who was wearing a helmet, was up and walking after the accident. Still, he was taken across the street to the hospital for evaluation, Clark said.

A nursing supervisor said Westphal was in good condition and was expected to be released later in the day.

– Erica Curless