Driver Stopped, Then Arrested For Burglary

Sheriff’s deputies got a scare Tuesday morning in the Spokane Valley, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

Authorities removed what they suspected were bombs from a pickup. Investigators later learned the devices were billy clubs, Sheriff’s Lt. David Wiyrick said.

Deputies Darin Staley and Lyle Johnston stopped a pickup driver for a traffic infraction at 3:30 a.m. near Argonne and Knox.

They arrested Donald H. Hansen Jr., 31, 2301 E. Francis, on a warrant for first-degree burglary.

When deputies searched the pickup, they found two 10-inch-long cylindrical devices.

The city/county bomb squad responded and removed the devices.

Several items suspected to have been stolen also were recovered from the vehicle.

Authorities went to the home of Hansen’s girlfriend in the 2900 block of East Broad and recovered two more similar devices, which also were tested but found not to be explosives, Wiyrick said.