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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels archive for May 2012

THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012

Girlfriend of alleged serial burglar jailed

The girlfriend of a suspected serial burglar was arrested today for her alleged role in the spree. Tawnya Ann Werre, 43, joins her boyfriend, Dean Michael Blackford, in the Spokane County Jail, where Blackford (pictured) has been since his arrest April 24. Investigators believe Werre…

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DNA evidence may delay murder trial

Spokane County prosecutors are proceeding with the first-degree murder trial of Patrick K. Gibson, who is charged with the 1992 slaying of a Spokane Valley business man, even as they wait for more evidence. Testimony entered its third day Thursday in the state's case against…

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3 linked to 24 Spokane Co. burglaries

Sheriff's investigators believe they've solved 24 residential burglaries in the Spokane County area. Members of the Burglary Task Force are recommending 64 felony charges be filed against suspects Jessica L. Davis, 25; Randle "Kyle Phelps, 29; and Jay M. Shippy, 23. Davis, the alleged ring…

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Suspect's friend deplores 'stupid' crime

A 17-year-old boy was arrested for a knife-point robbery early Tuesday that even his friend said was stupid. Edward D. Sjoquist is accused of threatening three people with a knife and stealing a wallet near North Monroe Street and West Cleveland Avenue about 12:35 a.m.…

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Closing Geiger: Wise or worrisome?

On its face, moving inmates from the Spokane County jail system to a jail in Kennewick solves big problems. In the short term, local governments would save hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time when they’re continuing to deal with difficult budget decisions. In…

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 2012

Bevy of drugs found in felon's truck

A longtime Spokane felon who fought with police in a Browne's Addition grocery store parking lot last week had about three ounces of heroin in his vehicle, police said today. Stephen Patrick Link, 46, pleaded not guilty today in Spokane County Superior Court to possession…

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Murder suspect's mental state questioned

A man who told detectives he murdered another methamphetamine addict in a fight over cigarettes will undergo a mental health examination. Acquaintances of suspect Shane Caleb Smith, 38, told investigators he is known as “Psycho Shane” and sometimes speaks of imaginary people and vivid hallucinations.…

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Four masked robbers took over a McDonald's on the South Hill Friday night, and police are asking for help identifying them.
Police today released surveillance photos of the robbers, who accosted six people inside the restaurant at 4647 S. Regal St., just after 10 p.m.
The victims complied with demands and none was injured. The robbers, who wore black clothing, fled on foot before police arrived.
 (Spokane Police Department)

Robbers take over South Hill McDonald's

Four masked robbers took over a McDonald's on the South Hill at gunpoint Friday night, and police are asking for help identifying them. Police today released three surveillance photos of the robbers, who accosted six people inside the restaurant at 4647 S. Regal St., just…

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New to Spokane, man robbed during jog

A man who arrived in Spokane about a week ago from Ethiopia was robbed while jogging on the South Hill early Sunday, police say. The 38-year-old victim does not speak English but said he recognized the word "money" when a man approached him about 5:20…

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Police: We saved repeat offender's life

Spokane police say they saved the life of a career criminal and sex offender when he went into cardiac arrest after he was taken into custody Sunday. Officer Nick Geren administered first aid on Joshua Clint Epperson, 32, while he was being transported to the…

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Trial begins in '92 cold case murder

Trial began Tuesday for a career criminal sex offender linked to a 1992 Spokane homicide by DNA on a fake beard. Patrick K. Gibson, 60, is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of Brian Cole, 48, of Nov. 7, 1992, during a robbery…

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Alleged sex slave traders released

Four people arrested in what investigators believe is Spokane County’s first human trafficking case were released this weekend because no charges have been filed. Spokane County sheriff’s investigators still are working on the case against Lawrence Dean Johnson, 43, his wife, Dina K. Tellez, 43;…

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TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2012



Kidnapped man escapes from car trunk

A kidnapped man forced into the trunk of a car in Montana freed himself on a Pend Oreille County highway early Sunday, leading to two arrests. A motorist said he was driving on Highway 2 near Pend Oreille Park about 7:10 a.m. when the trunk…

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Burglary suspects 'afraid' of task force

One of two suspected serial burglars arrested in Oldtown, Idaho, recently told investigators they were afraid to burglarize homes in Spokane County because of the recent surge in property crime arrests here, officials say. Jessica L. Davis, 25, and Randle "Kyle" Phelps, 29, were followed…

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SUNDAY, MAY 27, 2012

Sex offender arrested in home invasion

A sex offender suspected in a violent gunpoint home-invasion robbery was arrested today. Joshua Clint Epperson, 32, was booked into jail on felony charges related to an early-morning attack last Tuesday in the 9600 block of North Alpine Court in the Indian Trail area. The…

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Edwards admitted 'bad mistake'

A Spokane police officer fired for lying to a co-worker to obtain the address of a woman he met at a bar told investigators he was going through personal problems and was concerned for the woman’s safety because he’d seen her interacting with a known…

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FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2012

Drugs, guns seized near Valley school

Sheriff's investigators arrested a suspected methamphetamine dealer this week after a month's long investigation that yielded not only drugs but three guns. His Spokane Valley home's backyard is connected to the playground of Trentwood Elementary School. Gang and drug detectives obtained search warrants for the…

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Man gets 10+ years for home robbery

A Spokane man has been sentenced to about 10 years in prison for a gunpoint robbery last year. Jeremy L. Standon, 30, has an extensive criminal history that includes convictions for first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, money laundering, drug possession, second-degree identity theft,…

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Suspected serial burglar gets 9 years

One of two brothers suspected in a series of Spokane County burglaries has been sentenced to nine years in prison. Donald G. Myhren, 30, pleaded guilty to residential burglary for a break-in last year and was sentenced this week to 108 months. He still faces…

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Sex slave claims lead to four arrests

A frightened young woman’s descriptions of being held captive and sold for sex at drug houses and motels over the past year has led to several arrests in what’s believed to be Spokane County’s first human trafficking case. Lawrence Dean Johnson, 43, his wife, Dina…

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Roving cows drink Mass. backyard brew

BOXFORD, Mass. (AP) — Police say a roving group of cows crashed a small gathering in a Massachusetts town and bullied the guests for their beer. Boxford police Lt. James Riter says he was responding to a call for loose cows on Sunday and spotted…

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Theft victim uploads video of suspect

By DINESH RAMDE,Associated Press MILWAUKEE (AP) — A Wisconsin man whose camcorder was briefly stolen has found a way to get back at the suspected thief: He uploaded to YouTube a video that the suspect took with the camera, a clip in which the man…

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