Drunken bragging reveals burglary suspects

A tip that originated from drunken bragging gave Spokane Valley police officers the information they needed to bag one burglary suspect and develop probable cause to book another one. Jesse Leroy Brown, 18, was arrested late Wednesday night after he allegedly got drunk on stolen booze and bragged to others, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, police spokesman. Brown was booked on three counts of second-degree burglary. He is accused of breaking into the Hotteez night club, 20 N. Raymond St.; the Broadway Mini Market, 10304 E. Broadway Ave.; and Beyond Beads Gallery, 12021 E. Sprague Ave. Brown is believed to have been operating with Leon M. Gibson, 21, who is wanted on the burglaries as well. During the run of crimes, the two tried to kick through walls separating the Beyond Beads Gallery from the adjacent Puffin Glass Studios at 12023 E. Sprague Ave., but were unsuccessful. A search warrant was served early today at Gibson’s residence, which led to a search at a second address in Spokane Valley. Between the two locations, officers recovered about 50 bottles of alcoholic beverages taken from Hotteez in addition to stolen computers, flat-screen televisions, a laptop computer and 200 packs of Ace brand cigarettes, Reagan said. Anyone with information about Gibson is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233. He is described as white, 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds with brown hair and eyes.