Crime suspect held – again
Man released when charges not filed arrested in car stereo shop burglary
A career criminal released from jail in August because charges weren’t filed in a burglary case is accused of a Wednesday night burglary that cleaned out a Spokane car stereo store.
Christopher J. Cannata, who police say has 21 felony convictions, returned to Spokane County Jail on Thursday with Jonathon D. Marquiss, 32, after Spokane police arrested them in connection with the break-in at Kelly’s Custom Car Audio, 5518 N. Market St.
“I’m wiped out,” said owner Donald Kelly, who said his business has only been open about six months.
A license plate left behind from Marquiss’ Dodge Durango helped police identify the suspects, according to court documents.
Kelly performs mostly custom car stereo installations. The burglars took all his tools and equipment, leaving only a vacuum cleaner and a couple of other items.
“I’m really depressed,” Kelly said. “I’m just going to have to save up some money and start all over again.”
It’s the second burglary Cannata has been accused of in two months.
In August, eight months after he was released from prison for a 2005 burglary conviction, sheriff’s deputies arrested Cannata, 37, and Joseph A. Gariepy, 38, after neighbors said they spotted them breaking into a Rockford storage unit, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The two were arrested after a short chase. But no formal charges were filed by prosecutors against either man within the 72-hour deadline, and authorities had to let Cannata go. Gariepy had posted bond earlier.
Deputy Prosecutor Travis Phelps said the prosecutor assigned to Cannata’s recent case will likely also file burglary charges for his August arrest.
Cannata appeared pale and frail during his first video court appearance Friday and could be heard arguing off camera with his public defender, Derek Reid.
Reid told Judge Ellen Kalama Clark that Cannata said he has “some pretty serious medical conditions that need to be addressed,” but that Reid hadn’t had a chance to verify the conditions.
Clark imposed a $25,000 bond. Reid said he may address Cannata’s release again later.
Marquiss also was booked on two counts of a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
Using the license plate left at the scene, police found Marquiss’ address and arrested him there, then arrested Cannata at a mobile home at 4824 E. Sprague Ave.
“In talking with Marquiss, the officers were told that Marquiss and Cannata had worked in concert in committing the burglary of Kelly’s business,” according to the affidavit.