MEDIMONT — When Jesse Daum pulled over to rescue a rollover accident victim, little did he know he was also about to deal with a stolen vehicle suspect and have to step in to prevent his own vehicle from being stolen.

Justin Hurley Smith, 41, of Osburn, was arrested on Friday on multiple charges after the alleged incident along Highway 3 near Rainy Hill Drive and fleeing the scene on foot.

Daum told Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputies that Smith was tailgating and attempted to pass him around 11:45 a.m. on a corner and double-yellow line while driving southbound. He said Smith drove the red 1990 Nissan Sentra off the road and rolled the vehicle.

"Daum said he pulled over and helped Smith out of his vehicle after the crash," a deputy wrote in his report. "Daum told me Smith was walking around saying he had to leave and attempted to get in (Daum's) vehicle."

Daum told deputies he pushed Smith out of the way to prevent the suspect from stealing his 2001 Dodge Ram that had a trailer with two ATVs attached. Smith reportedly then fled west on foot on Rainy Hill.

An Idaho State Police trooper found Smith near the Medimont boat launch and a foot pursuit ensured westbound on the bike trail from Medimont. A perimeter was established where Smith was last seen running into the woods.

Smith at one point was seen trying to cross the Coeur d'Alene River, but changed his mind and headed back into the woods.

"The area he fled to was a small residential community with houses spread throughout a wooded area," a KCSO report states.

KCSO K-9 Pogo was called upon to help locate Smith, given the potential Smith could ambush residents or responders in the woods and not knowing whether he had any weapons. Multiple announcements were made that Pogo was about to be deployed if Smith didn't surrender.

Pogo located Smith about 125 yards from the start of the search under an embankment to the river's edge.

"The male was tucked between some large tree roots and hidden by the lip of the heavily vegetated river embankment," a report states. "K-9 Pogo contacted the male on the left biceps area."

The deputy released Pogo from Smith after it was confirmed Smith didn't have weapons and was compliant.

However, the deputy reported Smith began throwing punches at him after Pogo was released. Another KCSO responder was then able to control Smith and assist him up the embankment to other law enforcement.

Medical units responded to evaluate Smith and transport him to Kootenai Health before he was booked into jail.

Smith is charged with three felonies — attempted robbery, assault on an officer and possession of a stolen vehicle. He also faces five misdemeanors — possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, obstructing, leaving the scene of an accident and battery. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

At his first appearance on Monday, Smith said he was an advocate for the holy spirit and world peace, according to court documents.

Smith allegedly stole the Sentra earlier on Friday from an employee parking lot of Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg.