Deputies Catch Burglary Suspect Exiting Church
Skunk Intervenes during Arrest before Fleeing the Area
Spokane County Deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress at a church in Deer Park. As Deputies took the suspect into custody, a skunk appeared and let itself be known before running past the suspect. The suspect was arrested for Burglary 2nd Degree. The whereabouts of the skunk are unknown.
On August 4, 2022, at approximately 3:10 am, Spokane County Deputies Knutson, Ballou, and Leighton responded to a reported burglary in progress at the Church of the Nazarene, 305 N. Margaret, in Deer Park.
The caller advised they could see a male walking around inside the church on the surveillance live feed. The suspect, wearing a mask over his face, had a flashlight and was seen walking throughout the church and looking at the audio equipment.
While waiting for a K9 Unit to arrive, Deputy Knutson observed a person inside the building, later identified as 28-year-old Grant M. Simonson, walk past an open window and then begin to climb out.
Deputies commanded Simonson to show his hands and get on the ground. He began to follow the commands when suddenly a skunk came running around the corner, approached Simonson, and released its well-known and malodorous spray before fleeing the area.
Simonson was taken into custody without further incident. After being advised of his rights, Simonson explained he was “wide awake and bored”. He went for a ride on his bicycle and noticed an open window at the church. He rode back home, returned to the church on foot, took the screen off the window, and went inside because he was “curious”.
He was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 2nd Degree. He was released later that day on his own recognizance after appearing before Superior Court Commissioner J. Stine.
The skunk is a wild animal and not affiliated with law enforcement or the church.
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