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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Store Employee Jailed For Merchandise Theft

Three people were jailed over the weekend after separate incidents in which thousands of dollars in merchandise was stolen from Spokane Valley stores.

Christina C. Brandvold-Lyons, an 18-year-old K mart employee, was booked into the Spokane County Jail Saturday on second-degree theft charges. Sheriff’s deputies said Brandvold-Lyons and an acquaintance stole $1,700 worth of merchandise while working as a cashier at the K mart store at 15303 E. Sprague.

Store security cameras recorded Brandvold-Lyons passing merchandise to an acquaintance who took it from the store, said sheriff’s deputy David Reagan.

Deputies did not identify the acquaintance, who has not been arrested.

Earlier Saturday, William J. and Merrie C. Sirucek, a Spokane couple, were arrested for second-degree possession of stolen property.

The couple had $450 worth of merchandise stolen from five Valley stores in their Ford Mustang when it was stopped near Sprague Avenue and Bowdish Road, Reagan said. Deputies pulled the car over because it matched the description of a car seen leaving a businesses that was victimized by shoplifters.

William Sirucek, the driver, was originally arrested for driving with a suspended license. However, when deputies searched the car, they found several items of clothing and automotive supplies piled inside, Reagan said.

The merchandise still had tags indicating the items had not paid for, Reagan said.

The Sirucek’s later admitted the merchandise was stolen from Al’s Auto Supply, Schuck’s Auto Supply, Liquidation World, Family Bargain Center, and the J.C. Penney store at University City, Reagan said.

, DataTimes