Trio of burglary suspects faces 30 felonies

Three people arrested for burglaries in early February are believed to be responsible for a string of break-ins throughout Spokane County that began in November, the Spokane Valley Police Department announced today.

Police are recommending 30 felony charges against Michael Yamaguchi, 29, Stephen Victor, 19, and Samantha Winne, 19.

Detectives think the trio made spare keys while test driving vehicles, then returned at night to steal the cars. Vehicles were stolen from Neighborhood Auto Sales at 3024 N. Market, Haven Street Motors, 3001 E. Heroy and BJ’s Used Cars at 4422 E. Sprague.

Police believe Winne would babysit Yamaguchi’s children while Yamaguchi and Victor burglarized the businesses.

The three are connected to burglaries at Conoco, 333 W. Indian Trails Road, in November, as well as burglaries in December at Divines at 10222 N. Division and 1428 W. 2nd Ave., Quick Stop at 2508 W. Northwest Blvd, and Tesoro at 3158 E. 17th Ave.

They were arrested in February after burglaries at a Shell station at 1520 N. Argonne Road, a Shell at 1007 N. Sullivan Road, and Taco Bell at 10620 E. Sprague. The three faces charges ranging from theft to malicious mischief. Police also are seeking one count of money laundering against Victor and Yamaguchi and one count of trafficking in stolen property against Yamaguchi.

Police say the businesses suffered tens of thousands of dollars in theft and property damage.

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