LEWISTON, ID – A Clarkston man is facing felony charges following a police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in Lewiston on Tuesday.

Brandon Lee Witters, a 43-year-old Clarkston resident, has been charged with felony eluding police and grand theft by possession of stolen property.  He is also facing a misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession.

The incident began around 3:09 p.m. on March 25 when Lewiston police officers received an alert from an Automatic License Plate Reader identifying a stolen Hyundai Tucson traveling on 21st Street. According to court documents, Lewiston Police attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Witters. Instead of stopping, police say Witters accelerated and drove recklessly through residential streets at speeds reaching 70 to 80 mph in zones posted at 25 mph, running multiple stop signs.

Due to safety concerns, police ended the pursuit, but officers soon located the abandoned vehicle parked near Jimmy John’s on 21st Street. Witters was found shortly after by police and allegedly had the key fob to the stolen vehicle in his possession. Court documents state that Witters admitted to being the driver.

The vehicle’s owner reported missing golf clubs, which were originally inside the Hyundai at the time it was stolen and were not recovered. Lewiston Police impounded the stolen vehicle, securing it at the department’s storage facility on 16th Avenue.

The stolen Hyundai, valued between $10,000 and $15,000, had previously been reported stolen by its owner, who had already received compensation from their insurance company.

Witters appeared in court on Wednesday and bond was set at $35,000.  According to the Nez Perce County Jail, he was still in custody as of Thursday morning.