Idaho Man Steals Watch, Leads Police on Magic Valley Chase

GOODING, Id. (KMVT/KSVT) Idaho State Police officers were involved in a high speed pursuit this Friday morning after a car’s driver failed to stop at a traffic stop.

The trooper had been alerted by what is called an attempt to locate from the city of Twin Falls. ISP say information from Twin Falls indicated a man had reported he had been robbed of a watch. The victim claimed someone took the watch after he advertised it on Craigslist.

This Friday morning the victim and the suspect met to discuss selling the watch. While looking at the item, police say the man jumped into a car and took off. A trooper spotted a vehicle that was Westbound on I-84 between Jerome and Wendell that matched the description of the suspect vehicle.

The officer was able to catch up with the vehicle at the Bliss off ramp – Milepost 147. When the officer approached the vehicle, they said it took off toward Malad Gorge. The chase ended when the suspect crashed into a grove of trees.

Earlier authorities claim the driver struck a trooper vehicle. Two people who were in the vehicle then ran for a short distance before being detained by authorities. The incident started at 10:12 am and ended at 10:27. Authorities arrested Gary Strawser 24 of Greenleaf Idaho who had a felony warrant issued against him after failing to appear in Ada County.

He has been charged with Felony eluding, driving without privileges, possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting and obstructing an officer, a fictitious display of license plates and aggravated assault.

There may be additional charges filed by the Twin Falls city police involving the robbery, according to the ISP. The female who was with Strawser, was identified as Crystal Scroggins. She is being charged with resisting and obstructing an officer. Both were taken to the Gooding County Sheriff's Office.