Suspect Uses Stolen Truck to Commit Multiple Burglaries, Causing Over an Estimated $40,000 in Damage to Businesses
Deputy Unable to Pursue the Truck per State Law
Spokane Valley Deputies and Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to multiple burglary calls where a suspect is believed to have used a stolen truck to smash into the businesses. A Spokane Valley Deputy spotted the suspect at a business while responding to a different burglary report. The Deputy activated her emergency lights, but the suspect sped away in the stolen truck. The Deputy was prohibited from pursuing the suspect due to the recent changes to state law.
On the evening of December 11, 2021, Spokane Valley Deputies and Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies began to respond to several burglary calls along Trent, Pines, and Montgomery. As they began to investigate these independent reports, it became apparent they were probably all committed by the same suspect.
From information gleaned during the investigation, it appears these incidents started when a suspect stole a GMC Sierra from Cascade Windows, located on Montgomery. The suspect seems to have then used the stolen truck to smash into at least four businesses located in Spokane Valley and Spokane County, causing over an estimated $40,000 worth of damage.
While responding to one of the reported burglaries, a Spokane Valley Deputy noticed a truck that had smashed through the front doors of Arrow Concrete and Asphalt on E. Trent. The Deputy activated her emergency lights, but the male suspect immediately accelerated at a high rate of speed and fled. The Deputy advised she had located the suspect vehicle, and it fled the scene. The request to pursue and/or use a PIT technique to stop the fleeing vehicle was denied due to the recent state legislative reform laws.
The vehicle was quickly located a short distance away after the suspect parked in a citizen’s driveway. The homeowner contacted the suspect, who fled on foot. Thankfully the citizen was not injured, and the stolen vehicle was seized for evidence.
Spokane County Investigative Unit Detectives continue to investigate these incidents. They are also coordinating with Spokane Police Department Investigators concerning three similar burglary reports that evening in Spokane.
Washington State RCW 10.116.060 (Full Text)
A peace officer may not engage in a vehicular pursuit, unless:
(a)(i) There is probable cause to believe that a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a violent offense or sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030, or an escape under chapter 9A.76 RCW; or
(ii) There is reasonable suspicion a person in the vehicle has committed or is committing a driving under the influence offense under RCW 46.61.502
(Additional provisions beyond the ones listed above follow-Full Text can be viewed at the provided link)
https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.116.060