A state-owned Ford pickup assigned to a Spokane police detective is the latest victim in a rash of prowlings targeting the popular line of pickups in Spokane Valley.

The detective was on duty when someone "damaged the door lock to gain entry" to his F-350 pickup in the Albertsons grocery parking lot at Trent Avenue and Argonne Road and stole his briefcase containing a laptop computer. A witness told  him two men in a green Chevy had broken into the truck, according to a news release by Spokane Valley police Sgt. Dave Reagan.

The truck was assigned to the detective by the Washington State Training Commission.

Police are urging Ford pickup owners to park in highly visible area of Spokane Valley parking lots as they investigate the series of prowlings targeting the popular line of pickups.

Four break-ins were reported Monday, then another Monday break-in was reported today by a Colfax resident who said a $300 Garmin GPS unit was stolen from her F-350 pickup in the Lowe's parking lot after the thief pried the door handle and broke the lock. A Lowe's employee said security video showed the thief driving a green Chevrolet Suburban with no visible license plates.

Also on Monday, two victims reported having their Ford trucks prowled while parked at the Quality Inn in the 8900 block of East Mission.  

Anyone with information on the break-ins is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

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