Alleged SLACers arrested in burglaries of buildings

A new political group, the Spokane Lack of Action Committee, blazed into existence on July 4 by burning some American flags at the under-freeway skateboard park downtown.

By September and October, police were responding to break-ins at several vacant downtown buildings in which SLAC’s name was spray-painted on walls and windows. The “A’s” were circled to form a symbol used by anarchists.

Now two teenagers, alleged SLACers, have been charged with burglary.

Augustin Ervin Clark, 18, who gave an address of 835 E. 34th Ave., pleaded innocent Thursday in Superior Court to two counts of second-degree burglary in connection with the buildings at 123 S. Madison and 1011 W. First.

Michael B. Snow, 18, who gave an address of 3636 W. Wellesley Ave., faces arraignment Feb. 22 on one count of second-degree burglary at 123 S. Madison.

Other vandalized buildings included the historic Rookery building at 14 N. Howard, which preservationists and Mayor Dennis Hession have been trying to spare from a planned demolition.

Court documents say Detective J.C. Collins found an Internet “blog” posting by someone called “officercavebaby,” who described breaking into a vacant building. The posting included photographs of people vandalizing the interior of the building at 123 S. Madison, and Collins said he recognized Snow and Clark.

Police said they found Clark’s fingerprints on a Pabst beer can left at 1011 First, as well as on items in the Rookery Building and in the Overhauser Manufacturing Building at 152 S. Lincoln.

Clark could get three to eight months in jail if convicted as charged.

In addition to food wrappers and spray paint cans left in the Overhauser Building, police reported finding a banner dangling from the roof that said, “Take back your life. Revolt.”

Officers said the banner was signed in one corner: “SLAC.”