Wanted Suspect Wearing White Face Paint Arrested Inside Victim’s Home
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of an unknown male found inside an unsuspecting family’s home. The male was identified and found to have an active felony warrant for his arrest. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail for the warrant and new Residential Burglary and Theft 3rd Degree charges. The family members who returned to the home to find the suspect were shaken but uninjured.
On October 25, 2021, at approximately 3:05 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of an unknown male found inside a home in the 6600 block of E. 4th Avenue in Spokane Valley.
The adult male caller stated he and his younger sister arrived to find a male, later identified as 40-year-old Justin T. Watson, sitting at their kitchen table. He said Watson had on white face paint, possibly to hide tattoos, and was sitting at the table with two airsoft guns, and two cases of beer.
They ran upstairs to safety and called 911 to report the intruder. They also informed the Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) 911 Operator that their parents were also on their way home.
Fearing for the victims’ safety, Deputies responded with their lights and sirens activated. As they did, the SREC 911 Operator advised the original caller’s mother had arrived at the home and would not wait outside. Soon after, the 911 Operator advised responding Deputies the mom was no longer answering questions on the open line.
Deputy Travis West, Deputy Joseph Adams, and Deputy Natalie Woolard arrived at the residence minutes later. Deputy West found the back door ajar and was soon joined by Deputy Adams. They announced their presence but received no answer. Fearing for the victims’ safety, they entered the home and again announced “Sheriff’s Office”.
When Deputy West entered the dining room, he heard a faint voice say, “He’s on the couch.” Followed by what sounded like a male grunt. He turned toward the sound and observed Watson standing in the living room. Deputy West ordered Watson, who was wearing white face paint, to get on the ground. Instead of complying, Watson said something about the residence being his home and his wife. Deputy West again ordered Watson to lay on the ground. Watson chose not to follow commands again and sat down on the couch. Seeing that Watson’s hands were empty, Deputy West transitioned from his pistol to OC spray and ordered Watson to the ground for a third time. This time, Watson complied and was taken into custody without further incident.
With the situation de-escalated and now safe, Deputies spoke with the two homeowners and their children. (The father/husband arrived as Watson was taken into custody), none of which were injured. They explained they did not know Watson and that he did not have permission to enter the home. It was determined Watson located a spare key hidden in the back and used it to enter the residence while the victims were away. The clothes Watson was wearing were the victim’s clothes. Watson’s clothes were at the top of the basement stairs.
A check of Watson’s name revealed an active felony Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) warrant (original charge Assault 3rd Degree) for his arrest. It is believed that Watson may have been wearing the white face paint to cover the numerous tattoos on his face and neck. Watson has been arrested several times in the last year for DOC violations and mainly property crimes. Each time, he was released on his own recognizance and/or into DOC custody.
Watson invoked his rights and declined to answer questions.
Watson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for his felony DOC warrant and new Residential Burglary and Theft 3rd Degree charges.