Two Die in Shootout at Idaho Airport

Two suspected armed robbers died after they led police on a high-speed gun battle across runways at Boise Airport early Wednesday.

Police said no passenger flights were affected.

Officers tried to stop Milton Sanchez, 40, of Boise and his wife, Melody, 32, at a gas station several miles north of the airport after receiving a report that they were suspected in two recent armed robberies and were planning a third, police spokesman Rich Wright said.

The two fled shortly after midnight and fired at pursuing police cars, Wright said. When the suspects reached the airport, they drove through a fence and across runways as one plane was coming in for a landing.

“The plane landed safely,” Wright said. “I don’t think it was that close.”

Only cargo planes were using the airport at the time.

The exchange of gunfire continued until the suspects stopped outside a passenger gate. Both suspects had been shot. A police statement did not specify whether officers had killed the suspects or whether they had shot themselves.

Wright said Melody Sanchez died at the scene, and Milton Sanchez was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Wright said planes preparing for takeoff were kept clear of the chase area while others preparing to land were delayed. He said airport operations were back to normal before the first scheduled passenger flight about 6 a.m.

Wright said Sanchez and his wife were suspected in the March 29 robbery of a restaurant where Melody Sanchez had previously worked, and of holding up a beauty supply business Saturday.

Police alleged the Sanchezes were planning to rob the restaurant again Wednesday.