Some shoplifting suspects escape in Liberty Lake
The Liberty Lake Police Department had a busy week from Nov. 7 to Nov. 14, making several arrests and responding to four shoplifting calls.
A driver not wearing his seat belt was pulled over at Liberty Lake Road and Appleway at 7 p.m. on Nov. 7. The 27-year-old Post Falls resident was arrested on charges of driving with a suspended license, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, said police Chief Brian Asmus.
Another driver was stopped for driving without headlights on at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Liberty Lake Road and Country Vista Drive. The officer smelled marijuana and the driver reportedly admitted having some in the car, Asmus said. The 19-year-old Spokane Valley resident was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer spotted a car with its engine running in the middle of the Country Vista Drive at 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 10. The officer could see damage to both sides of the car, Asmus said. The 35-year-old Spokane resident appeared to be “extremely” intoxicated but refused to take a breath test, Asmus said. She was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence.
There were three additional arrests for driving with a suspended license and one arrest on an outstanding warrant for malicious mischief.
Officers assisted Spokane County sheriff’s deputies with an accident at Euclid Avenue and Stevenson Road on Nov. 8 and on a call reporting a man brandishing a handgun in the area of Trent and Del Ray Drive on Nov. 11. Officers found a 9mm handgun and several knives on the man, Asmus said.
It was apparently a banner week for shoplifting. On Nov. 7 a 31-year-old Spokane Valley man was arrested at 11:45 p.m., suspected of shoplifting items from Walgreens. An employee at Safeway reported that a man left without paying for about $200 in groceries at 7:20 a.m. on Nov. 8. He was reportedly driving a white Ford pickup with a black canopy, but officers were not able to locate the vehicle, Asmus said.
Another call came in from Safeway at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. An employee reported that man in his 40s took pizza, beer and wine without paying for it. Witnesses said the man got into an older Toyota or Nissan, said Asmus, but officers were not able to locate the man. The Conoco station reported at 9:40 p.m. on Sunday that two people took three cases of beer and ran off, Asmus said.
Officers also responded to two false building alarms, two car accidents and a vehicle prowling during the week. They handed out two citations for license and plates required, five for failure to show proof of liability insurance and seven for speeding. Additional citations were given for invalid license in possession/displayed, improper lane usage and failure to stop at a stop sign.