Stolen BFPD SUV found, woman charged

By LUCY DUKES

Hagadone News Network

A Bonners Ferry woman who allegedly stole a patrol vehicle after being arrested and handcuffed Saturday night, then managed to elude capture for two days, now faces felony theft, escape and eluding charges.

Shannon L. Kelly, 29, also known as Shannon McClellan, was arrested between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Monday at a residence south of Bonners Ferry.

A tip led law enforcement officials to the residence where she was staying, Bonners Ferry Police Chief Dave Kramer said.

Kelly escaped after a police officer and Boundary County sheriff's deputy arrested her at the south end of Bonners Ferry during a felony forgery investigation.

After officers placed her in the patrol vehicle and began checking the van she drove for other occupants, Kelly got her cuffed hands in front of her, climbed into the front seat through a sliding window in the partition between her and the front seats and drove away.

The two officers pursued in the sheriff's department vehicle, but lost sight of Kelly as she headed south on U.S. 95.

The undamaged police Tahoe was located a few hours later in the Katka Mountain area east of Bonners Ferry.

No department equipment was taken, though a personal cell phone was missing.