Deputies Recover 3 Stolen Vehicles – 5 Suspects Arrested
Spokane Valley Deputies responding to separate incidents recovered three stolen vehicles in two days. A total of five people were arrested for various charges during the subsequent investigations.
On October 21, 2019, during the early morning hours, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a report of a naked male in the backyard of a residence in the 400 block of S. Barker. The male stole a dog bed and wrapped himself up in it before running away.
A short time later, another caller reported someone tried to enter the back door of his residence located in the 100 block of S. Barker earlier. The victims said they later learned the male suspect ran to their woodshed, where they found a taped up “Huggies” diapers box and a set of high visibility clothing. They believed the suspect must have been naked when he ran from the location. They also said a suspicious vehicle was parked just north of the residence and was thought to be possibly involved. The victim decided not to pursue charges since their property wasn’t damaged.
Deputies located 34-year-old Tyson J. Tatsey (multiple LE contacts/arrests) hiding in an outbuilding in the backyard of a residence located in the 18800 block of E. 8th Ave. He was completely naked and had the stolen dog bed draped over his head, attempting to hide.
The homeowner, where Tatsey was located, was contacted and wanted to press trespassing charges.
While investigating the suspicious vehicle, Deputies learned it had been stolen. The victim arrived to take possession of the car. He stated the car was stolen sometime in the last few hours from the 2600 block of N. Pines area. He said the high visibility construction clothes Tatsey was believed to have been wearing were his along with the Huggies box. The items were in the car when it was stolen.
After being advised of his rights, Tatsey told Deputies he had “smoked some weed and tripped out”. Tatsey eventually admitted he stole the car after finding the keys were left inside.
Tatsey was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle. He was issued a criminal citation for Trespassing 2nd Degree. Additional charges were added the next day of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 3 counts of Theft 2nd Degree, and Indecent Exposure stemming from an incident in North Spokane County in August of this year. He is still in custody, with a total bond amount set at $17,500.
On October 21, 2019, at approximately 2:40 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a vehicle theft in progress. The victim reported she just returned home, located in the 14700 block of E. 12th Ave., to find a male suspect trying to steal another one of her cars. The suspect, later identified as 24-year-old Travis J. Adams (multiple LE contacts/arrests), was starting to pull away when she arrived and blocked his path. She said Adams got out of her vehicle and walked north on Adams.
Within minutes, Corporal Welton advised he located Adams near 10th and Warren. Deputy Materne arrived, and Adams was taken into custody without incident.
Adams was found to be in possession of “shaved keys” commonly used by vehicle thieves to defeat worn ignition locks.
Adams was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Making or Possessing Motor Vehicle Theft Tools and Driving While Suspended. He remains in custody with a total bond set at $5,000.
On October 23, 2019, just before 11:00 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Hall observed a male, later identified as 39-year-old Anthony C. Olson, pushing a red Nissan pickup on Chronicle near E. 1st Ave. Deputy Hall drove past Olson to make a U-turn to pull in behind the truck and check if Olson needed assistance.
As he did, he ran the vehicle license plate on his mobile computer and learned the Nissan had been reported stolen. By the time Deputy Hall turned around, Olson had pushed the truck off the side of the road, closed the door and began to walk away.
Due to the Nissan being reported as stolen, Olson was detained. He was advised of his rights and agreed to answer questions. Initially, Olson’s story did not make sense, but he later admitted he was staying in an abandoned house in the 4800 block of E. 2nd Ave. with his girlfriend. Olson eventually said a friend left the truck at the residence. No key to the vehicle, nor any other evidence supporting he stole the car, was located.
Deputy Hall spoke to a neighbor in the area who confirmed three people were staying in the abandoned home. The witness said the Nissan had been parked at the abandoned house for a few days but was unable to say who drove it there.
Two people, 31-year-old Erika C. Kienas and 51-year-old James A. Jackson, were contacted inside the residence. Kienas had an active felony warrant for Burglary 1st Degree. Jackson had an active Washington State Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody felony warrant for his arrest. Olson was also found to have four active warrants (2 felony/2 misdemeanor).
With no evidence to show Olson stole the vehicle or knew it was stolen, all three were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for their warrants.
The investigation into the actual theft of the truck remains active.