Spokane County raids target stolen guns

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies, including the SWAT team, raided two homes Thursday morning searching for guns and other items stolen from a collector who was away over the holidays.

A large number of weapons were taken in what detectives believe were a series of burglaries at the collector’s home along U.S. Highway 2 in the Colbert area. The thefts took place between mid-December and Jan. 4 when the collector returned home, said sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Also taken were a Chevrolet van and other collectible items.

Spokane police located the van two weeks ago after the victim reported the burglaries and stolen items.

Starting at 4:45 a.m. Thursday, the SWAT team raided a home at 1311 W. Dalton Ave. and then later went into a second home at 4905 E. Deer Park-Milan Road in the Riverside area, Reagan said.

At least one handgun and a scope believed to have been taken in the burglaries were seized as evidence from the Riverside location, and a resident there was facing questions, Reagan said.

The investigation led detectives to a pair of storage units on Sunset Boulevard near U.S. Highway 2 where more stolen property, including a grandfather clock, was recovered on Thursday.

Both homes were occupied during the raids. No one was injured.

Several persons of interest have been identified in the case, but potential arrests are being delayed until results of the investigation are submitted to the county prosecuting attorney for formal charges.

Agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been working on the case with the county, Reagan said.