‘Stop stick’ nails burglars

Tire-flattening strips deployed by Spokane County sheriff’s deputies disabled the vehicle of two suspected burglars and allowed the arrest of two men with the stolen goods stuffed in back. Christopher J. Cannata, 37, and Joseph A. Gariepy, 38, both of Spokane, were booked into Spokane County Jail in connection with the break-in at a storage unit in Rockford about 12:45 a.m. today. Deputies said that residents living near the storage facility saw the burglary occurring and notified the sheriff’s office with descriptions of the men and their vehicle. One deputy saw a vehicle matching the description pass him northbound on state Highway 27 while he was headed south to the burglary call. Other deputies set up “stop sticks” on the highway at 32nd Avenue, which disabled one of the front tires of the suspects’ vehicle. The driver then stopped. Deputies discovered items taken in the burglary in the vehicle along with a bolt cutter.