Car Prowler Brandishes Pistol when Confronted by Homeowner
Spokane Valley Patrol Deputies located a vehicle prowler suspected of entering a vehicle and displaying a pistol when the homeowner confronted him. The handgun, later determined to be a realist looking BB gun, was located in a backpack the suspect discarded.
On July 22, 2020, at approximately 10:50 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a male breaking into cars in the 10800 block of E. Nora in Spokane Valley. The suspect reportedly pulled a gun on the caller and was last seen running east for University.
The caller stated he observed the suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Bogdan G. Pustovit, standing next to his sister’s car. He told Pustovit to leave, and soon after noticed items inside the vehicle had been moved around.
The victim drove to Pustovit’s location and confronted him. Pustovit threw a flashlight at the victim and continued walking east on Mission. Pustovit took off his backpack and pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and said, “I don’t want any trouble.” when the victim approached him again. Pustovit put the handgun back in his backpack and ran south on Glenn.
The victim stated he feared Pustovit would have shot him if he hadn’t backed away.
Several Deputies arrived in the area and began to search for Pustovit. A homeowner in the 1500 block of N. Glenn reported a male, Pustovit, was in his neighbor’s backyard and was attempting to hide next to a shed.
While Deputies searched the backyard, Deputy Ortiz observed a male, sweating profusely and matching Pustovit’s description, walk out of a yard in the 11009 block of E. Maxwell. Deputy Ortiz activated his emergency lights, notified other patrol units of his location, and began giving Pustovit commands. Initially, Pustovit was slow to respond but eventually followed commands.
With the assistance of responding Deputies, Pustovit was taken into custody without incident. Deputies learned he had dumped his backpack during his attempt to flee.
Pustovit’s backpack was located in the backyard of a nearby home. Inside, Deputies found a silver and black BB gun, which was not easily distinguishable from a real firearm.
A check of Pustovit’s name revealed a valid misdemeanor warrant (Vehicle Prowl 2nd and Possession of Stolen Property 3rd).
It was determined Pustovit did enter the vehicle, but nothing was stolen.
Deputy Korpi transported and booked Pustovit into the Spokane County Jail for his warrant and new misdemeanor charges of Assault 4th Degree, Brandishing/Intimidating with a Weapon, and Vehicle Trespassing 2nd Degree.
Pustovit, who shows six other arrests this year for similar type crimes, was released on his own recognizance by the courts after being booked.
