September 25, 2008 in City

Crime spree blamed on Army deserters

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Two men who deserted the U.S Army at Fort Lewis spent the past few months burglarizing Spokane Valley homes and businesses, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Michael W. Grenkavich, 21, and Mitchell L. Rea, 22, left the Army in late July and have been living as transients in Spokane, where Grenkavich has ties, according to a news release.

The crime spree saw thousands of dollars worth of merchandise stolen from businesses such as Blockbuster video and Costco.

Grenkavich also allegedly burglarized homes and pawned stolen jewelry, rented three $1,700 generators and a $700 power washer from A To Z Rental and pawned them the same day. He also allegedly attempted to pass a forged check at Global Credit Union, police said.

Deputies are investigating several other check crimes as well as an allegation that Grenkavich got a Washington driver’s license in his brother’s name and used it to drain his bank account and open fraudulent credit accounts, according to the news release.

The two were booked into Spokane County Jail on felony theft, forgery and trafficking in stolen property charges. More charges are expected, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Coeur d’Alene

Man dumped from Dumpster

A 47-year-old man is in serious condition after being thrown out of a Dumpster by garbage collectors in Coeur d’Alene early Wednesday morning.

Alan Earl Wilson reportedly was sleeping in the garbage bin near the Coeur d’Alene library around 4:15 a.m. when a garbage truck emptying the bin ejected Wilson, said Sgt. Christie Wood of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department.

Wilson suffered cuts on his head, Wood said. He is at Kootenai Medical Center.

Whitman County

Campaign signs stolen, damaged

Political signs have been stolen and damaged in Whitman County, and authorities are asking for the public to contact them with any information.

Two Obama for President signs were reportedly stolen and at least one burned, according to a news release from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office.

Several other political signs have been reported stolen or destroyed, which is prohibited under state law. It’s a misdemeanor, and each item damaged is a separate charge, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at (509) 397-6266.

Region

Hearing set on forest plan

Members of the public can weigh in Tuesday on a plan to improve forest health at Mount Spokane State Park.

The meeting runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Spokane County Fire District 9, Station 92, 3801 E. Farwell Road, Mead.

The plan calls for thinning and prescribed burns on the main road up Mount Spokane to improve wildlife habitat and reduce forest fuels. About 150 acres would be treated.

In 2006, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission initiated a forest health planning effort on 4,250 acres of the 13,919-acre Mount Spokane State Park. The plan’s intent is to create a rich forest mosaic, improve plant and animal diversity, and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

In related news, the Sandpoint Ranger District will conduct fall burning in the vicinity of Little Blacktail Mountain east of Cocalalla Lake to reduce fuels from logging slash, prepare sites for replanting and improve wildlife habitat.

Fall burning could start this week or be delayed until November, depending on weather conditions, officials said.

From staff reports

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