Jaywalker arrested on wallet theft charge

A quick-acting Spokane Valley police officer arrested a man Monday afternoon in connection with the theft of a wallet from the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. First Ave., which occurred a few minutes earlier. Rodrick Coppock, 47, of Spokane Valley, was booked on a charge of second-degree theft by Officer Mike McNees. McNees reported that he was headed west on Sprague Avenue about 4 p.m. when he saw Coppock jaywalk across seven lanes of traffic, forcing cars to brake their speed to avoid hitting him. Sheriff’s dispatchers had just radioed information about the wallet theft from a female library patron and gave a description that matched Coppock, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, police spokesman. Coppock denied taking the wallet, although he was carrying two wallets. The theft victim and witness identified Coppock as the suspect. Coppock has a criminal history dating back 29 years mostly in Spokane Valley, Reagan said.