Trending...
- New plusOne Research Finds the Orgasm Gap Is a 30-Point Chasm — and Confirms It Isn't Biology
- Lokal Media House Wins Web Excellence Award for Black Plumbing Redesign
- Outlier Pest Season Hits Willamette Valley as Mild Winter Drives Early Surge in Ant and Rodent Activity
Cpl N. Briggs #1177
DV suspect hiding in wall can't evade arrest
On 03-04-2021 a little before 11:30PM, SPD received information that a domestic violence victim may be in jeopardy at a residence in the 4000 block of N Wall St in Northwest Spokane. Officers quickly began gathering information and responded to the residence.
41-year-old Joseph Piapot has a violent history and was prohibited from contacting the victim, or being at the residence, due to a court order. Officers were faced with a precarious situation: without knowing what was going on inside they feared the victim could be in peril. But lacking specific information about the nature or magnitude of the danger officers didn't want to act abruptly and force a confrontation which could endanger everyone involved.
Officers began attempting communication with Piapot early in the incident to no avail. Given the uncertainty of the situation, the potential for violence, and the lack of cooperation on the part of the suspect, specialty resources were utilized.
On-duty hostage negotiators, SWAT officers, and K-9 units were summoned to the scene. SWAT resources utilized armored vehicles around the residence. The armor served several purposes: it allowed officers to safely position themselves close enough to the residence to react if it became apparent the victim was in imminent danger, and it acted as a barrier between the incident and uninvolved people and residences in the neighborhood.
More on Washingtoner
An SPD negotiator continuously attempted to talk with Piapot and facilitate a peaceful surrender. Despite communication being attempted via various means, Piapot would not talk to police.
A search warrant for the residence was sought and granted. Around 1:30AM officers entered the residence. The adult female victim and a juvenile were quickly located and able to be evacuated from the residence.
Officers went into the home looking for Piapot. Throughout the search multiple attempts at communication were attempted giving Piapot directives to give up, all of which went unheeded. Given the serious nature of the criminal acts, Piapot's continued unwillingness to surrender, and his violent history, a K-9 unit was used to help officers search the residence.
Officers and the K-9 unit began an intensive search of the home which initially didn't yield Piapot's whereabouts. As the exhaustive search continued the K-9 alerted on an area of wall which appeared solid and adorned with furniture. Closer examination revealed a small void between the interior and exterior walls where Piapot was secreted. Once his hiding location was discovered Piapot surrendered and no force was utilized to take him into custody.
Piapot was booked into Spokane County Jail for two counts of residential burglary-DV and two counts of court order violation-DV. Piapot is an eleven-time felon with four convictions for felony assault.
Incident 2021-20034753
DV suspect hiding in wall can't evade arrest
On 03-04-2021 a little before 11:30PM, SPD received information that a domestic violence victim may be in jeopardy at a residence in the 4000 block of N Wall St in Northwest Spokane. Officers quickly began gathering information and responded to the residence.
41-year-old Joseph Piapot has a violent history and was prohibited from contacting the victim, or being at the residence, due to a court order. Officers were faced with a precarious situation: without knowing what was going on inside they feared the victim could be in peril. But lacking specific information about the nature or magnitude of the danger officers didn't want to act abruptly and force a confrontation which could endanger everyone involved.
Officers began attempting communication with Piapot early in the incident to no avail. Given the uncertainty of the situation, the potential for violence, and the lack of cooperation on the part of the suspect, specialty resources were utilized.
On-duty hostage negotiators, SWAT officers, and K-9 units were summoned to the scene. SWAT resources utilized armored vehicles around the residence. The armor served several purposes: it allowed officers to safely position themselves close enough to the residence to react if it became apparent the victim was in imminent danger, and it acted as a barrier between the incident and uninvolved people and residences in the neighborhood.
More on Washingtoner
- Spokane Police Investigate a Fatal Shooting on the South Hill
- Why Athletic Recovery Begins in the Nervous System
- A Hidden Magical World Awaits in Ashley Gayheart's Upcoming Young Adult Fantasy, Rosewood Academy: The Awakening
- Scott Ritsema of Bisnar Chase Selected for 2026 National Traumatic Brain Injury Association
- Flint Youth Film Festival Shifts Gears, Becomes Vehicle City Film Festival
An SPD negotiator continuously attempted to talk with Piapot and facilitate a peaceful surrender. Despite communication being attempted via various means, Piapot would not talk to police.
A search warrant for the residence was sought and granted. Around 1:30AM officers entered the residence. The adult female victim and a juvenile were quickly located and able to be evacuated from the residence.
Officers went into the home looking for Piapot. Throughout the search multiple attempts at communication were attempted giving Piapot directives to give up, all of which went unheeded. Given the serious nature of the criminal acts, Piapot's continued unwillingness to surrender, and his violent history, a K-9 unit was used to help officers search the residence.
Officers and the K-9 unit began an intensive search of the home which initially didn't yield Piapot's whereabouts. As the exhaustive search continued the K-9 alerted on an area of wall which appeared solid and adorned with furniture. Closer examination revealed a small void between the interior and exterior walls where Piapot was secreted. Once his hiding location was discovered Piapot surrendered and no force was utilized to take him into custody.
Piapot was booked into Spokane County Jail for two counts of residential burglary-DV and two counts of court order violation-DV. Piapot is an eleven-time felon with four convictions for felony assault.
Incident 2021-20034753
0 Comments
Latest on Washingtoner
- RAS AP Consulting Launches Vendor Master File & Payment Controls Assessment for NACHA Phase 2 Compliance
- Spokane: 2026 Wildfire & Forestry Safety Fair
- Spokane AI Expert Adam Chronister to Discuss Authority Engineering at AI Roundtable Event
- Spokane: Riverfront Park Shuttle Service Opens May 1, Zipline Coming Fall 2026
- New Homesites Released at Heritage at Manalapan Featuring Scenic Golf Course Views
- The Andover Company Co-Brokers Largest Puget Sound Office Lease of 2026
- The Ultimate Solution to Halt Thermal Runaway
- Olga Torres Earns Repeat Recognition as a Top 2026 CFIUS Advisor
- Strategic Talent Associates Launches THE ALIGNED RESET™
- Calvetta Phair Founder & CEO Earns AOPA Foundation Flight Training Scholarship, Inspiring a New Generation of STEM Dreamers in Underserved Communities
- MTV EMA Nominee and WOA Founder Oliver Sean Conferred Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Degree
- Spokane Police Arrest a Hospice Facility Caretaker
- Tacoma: Homicide Investigation – 400 block of S J St
- Spokane police investigate a stabbing in the area of Thorpe & Westwood
- City of Tacoma Modernizes Access to Municipal Code Online
- Karen D. Gentry Announces New Book Focused on Relationships and Personal Growth
- New plusOne Research Finds the Orgasm Gap Is a 30-Point Chasm — and Confirms It Isn't Biology
- CCHR Report Links 145 Violent Incidents to Psychiatric Drug Exposure, Urges National Oversight and Action
- Statement from District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge on Home in Tacoma Year One
- 'Home in Tacoma' Sparks 62% Increase in Number of Proposed Housing Units in First Year