Spokane, WA. — Spokane Valley and Spokane County deputies arrested a 35-year-old domestic violence suspect after an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert led to a traffic stop on March 28.
Authorities had been searching for Mitchell J. Hansen since March 26, when deputies responded to a reported domestic violence assault near Newman Lake. The victim, an adult female, had already been transported to a hospital with injuries when deputies arrived.
Investigators determined Hansen was subject to a valid domestic violence protection order prohibiting contact with the victim, coming within 1,000 feet of her or her residence, or engaging in harassment or assault.
According to the investigation, Hansen allegedly confronted the victim on March 25, forcibly abducted her as she walked to her car, and threatened to kill her. Deputies say he drove her to a trailer on private property near Newman Lake, where he continued to assault and detain her. The victim escaped the following day.
Detectives developed probable cause to arrest Hansen on multiple felony charges, including first-degree kidnapping, first- and second-degree assault, first-degree robbery, stalking, harassment with threats to kill, violation of a protection order, and unlawful imprisonment, along with misdemeanor charges.
With assistance from the Real-Time Crime Center, deputies identified a blue Volkswagen Jetta associated with Hansen and entered it into the ALPR system.
After an initial unsuccessful search, deputies received an ALPR alert on March 28 indicating the vehicle’s location. Within minutes, law enforcement located the car near North Mullan Road and the Interstate 90 overpass, confirmed the license plate, and conducted a traffic stop. Hansen was taken into custody without incident.
Following his arrest, Hansen denied contacting or assaulting the victim.
He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. On March 29, a Spokane County Superior Court judge set his bond at $100,000.
Hansen’s vehicle was seized as evidence pending a search warrant. Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing.
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