Man assaulted, hospitalized

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office major crimes detectives early Thursday were investigating a late-night fight that left a 55-year-old man in critical condition at a local hospital.

Medics were called to an apartment at 219 S. Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley about 11:40 p.m. Wednesday by a woman who reported that a man had fallen and struck his head, said Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

When firefighters arrived, they determined the man had been assaulted and called officers to the scene.

Initial investigation indicates that three men and the female complainant were inside the apartment consuming alcohol. The victim became involved in an argument with one of the other men and was punched in the face.

The victim suffered a head and possible brain injury during the assault. Although he walked to an ambulance later, his condition deteriorated while he was being transported to the hospital.

Officers identified the female as 31-year-old Raelynn A. Johnson. She was arrested after they learned she had an outstanding misdemeanor warrant charging her with criminal trespass.

The other combatant had left by the time officers arrived at the apartment and has been identified by first name only at this time. Investigation into the matter continues.

Holiday shopping done, couple go to jail

A Spokane couple was arrested on felony theft charges Tuesday evening after they allegedly stole about $900 worth of clothing, jewelry and electronic devices at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Scott Whitacre, 48, and Deborah Pauline Hunton, 41, both of 1522 W. Maxwell Ave., were each arrested about 8 p.m. Tuesday and were booked into the Spokane County Jail on second-degree theft charges.

Security officers at Macy’s called Spokane Valley Police officers to the store and said they had suspected Whitacre of stealing previously, but had never caught him before he left the store. On Tuesday, they saw him inside the store and watched as he met up with Hunton who placed several items of jewelry into her purse.

The security officer followed the two as they left the store without paying and then watched them enter and remove jewelry from Icing By Claire, another mall business. He continued watching as the two split up and Whitacre went back into Macy’s and stole items of clothing.

When he left a second time without paying, the security officer stopped him and held him for officers. Hunton waited nearby and was contacted and detained by police.

Officer Scott Streltzoff interviewed Whitacre and discovered two stolen MP3 players and two sweatshirts in the suspect’s bags. Deputy Cole Speer brought Hunton into the office and they discovered several items of stolen jewelry, worth about $500, in her purse.

The officers also found numerous items of clothing stolen from J.C. Penney and the jewelry stolen from Icing By Claire. In all, Whitacre had just short of $500 worth of stolen property in his possession.

The officers also found a shopping list with items of clothing listed by brand and size.

All of the stolen property from Penney’s and Macy’s was returned to the stores. Icing By Claire had closed and that jewelry was placed on police property as evidence.

Investigation by the two SVPD officers revealed that Whitacre had been selling MP3 players stolen from Macy’s for half price on the street. The players sell for about $80.

Christmas shopping tip

Drug users frequently can return your newly-purchased merchandise for a full cash refund if they break into your car and find the items in the store bags with the receipt, said Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Knowing that, they cruise shopping center and mall parking lots looking for vehicles that have purchases visible from the outside. It takes them less than a minute to smash your window and make off with your valuables.

If you plan to end your day of shopping with dinner or a movie, be sure to place all your new purchases into your locked trunk. Park under the more well-lit areas of the parking lot or garage, and close to doorways or sidewalks where there is lots of foot traffic.

Thieves tend to prey on cars and trucks parked in the more isolated and under-lit areas, and any Christmas shopping destination is considered a “target-rich” environment.