SWAT and SVIU Detectives Serve Search Warrant at “Vacant” House
Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives, with the assistance of the SWAT Team and patrol Deputies, served a search warrant at a residence which should be vacant but has been a neighborhood problem for several months due to squatters. Six people were detained and 51-year-old Jesse R. Adams Jr. was arrested for a Burglary warrant.
In the early morning hours of November 27, 2017, the Spokane Valley SWAT Team, with the assistance of SVIU and Spokane Valley Deputies, served a search warrant at a residence located in the 8500 block of E. Cataldo Ave.
The search warrant was obtained as part of an ongoing investigation of Possession/Sales of Controlled Substances, Stolen Vehicles, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by several suspects who are believed to be squatting at the vacant residence owned by an out of state mortgage company. The residence has been the focus of over 25 calls for service since the beginning of the year, to include, but not limited to, drugs, assaults, warrants and suspicious person calls. At that time, there was no power at the residence and generators running from the shop were being used to keep warm.
SWAT Team members successfully detained 6 people without incident and Adams was arrested for his outstanding warrant.
Jesse Adams’ warrant stems from another residence in the 8400 block of E. Cataldo where he was believed to have been squatting.
SVIU Detectives recovered a stolen vehicle, methamphetamine, numerous pills, stolen checks, stolen firearms cases, stolen ammunition and other ammunition for 3 separate firearms. They also collected evidence of a drive-by shooting which was believed to have occurred prior to Thanksgiving; however, the stolen firearms were not located.
Through the investigation, Detectives went to another house frequented by known criminals in the 9600 block of E. Broadway. They did not locate the weapons but contacted a suspect well-known to law enforcement, 35-year-old Frank R. Martinez. Martinez was arrested for a Washington State Department of Corrections warrant (original charges of Robbery 1st Degree & Burglary 1st Degree).
Detectives believe several individuals and known criminals are squatting at these and other vacant residences in the area. These vacant residences seem to be a hotbed of criminal activity, which causes citizens in the surrounding neighborhoods to be victimized.
We know these residences are a source of criminal activity, as well as, frustration and worry for the citizens in the area. We want to assure these neighborhoods this investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity at these locations is urged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and provide as much detailed information as possible without putting yourself at risk to obtain the information.