Holiday Shoppers Beware Of Thieves

Though it’s the time for sharing, Spokane police are encouraging holiday shoppers to frustrate thieves and burglars by being stingy during the holiday season.

Crime Prevention Specialist Sandy Richards said half of all home burglaries are achieved through unlocked windows and doors.

“This season is as busy for burglars and thieves as it is for shoppers,” Richards said. “They know people have credit cards and cash with them, and purse snatchings and wallet thefts are easy when a shopper is burdened with packages.”

Here is a to-do list for protecting your goods:

Don’t leave any type of package visible in a vehicle.

Don’t leave draperies open when away from home so thieves can tabulate presents, electronics and other goods.

Don’t throw boxes for new stereos, VCRs, computers and other high profile gifts in outdoor trash where they may be visible.

Traffic violations lead to chase, arrest

Spokane police arrested two men for eluding police for traffic violations on Dec 22.

Shawn D. Shelton, a 24-year-old transient, was booked into jail on a charge of attempting to elude police, a felony.

The passenger, Kenyatta N. Rogers, 22, who gave his address as 9020 N. Country Homes Blvd., was booked into jail for an unrelated outstanding warrant and a misdemeanor charge of obstructing an officer.

An officer saw a car at 12:45 a.m. with its headlights turned off leave the 7-Eleven store at Nevada and Empire. The vehicle failed to stop at an intersection and when the officer turned on his car’s overhead lights the car sped away, said police spokesman Dick Cottam.

Police said the car ran several stop signs on icy streets before turning into an alley near Addison at high speed. The car came to a stop when it hit an unoccupied car, and the two men fled on foot.

They were arrested near Gonzaga University, Cottam said.

, DataTimes