Man accused in vehicle theft from valet

A Spokane man was arrested Saturday when he took a vehicle from a valet at the Northern Quest Casino and drove away.

The vehicle wasn’t his, Spokane County sheriff’s spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

Chad Hank Hoffman, 34, was charged with felony second-degree taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission and booked into the Spokane County Jail.

According to Reagan, a 29-year-old woman requested her Dodge Durango at the casino entrance about 8:30 a.m. Saturday. The valet pulled up to the doors and was met by a man who shook his hand, got into the SUV and drove off, Reagan said.

The casino immediately reported the theft, Reagan said. Deputies spotted the Dodge at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Highway 2 and pulled it over, taking the suspect into custody, Reagan said.

The suspect initially identified himself as William S. Smith, but the deputies learned his real name and that he lived at 1411 W. 10th Ave. Reagan said Hoffman already had a Municipal Court warrant out for his arrest.