In brief: Fourteen dogs seized from van; owner charged

Fourteen small dogs were seized from a passenger van parked at the Spokane Valley branch of the Spokane County Library on Thursday, animal control officials said.

The vehicle reportedly contained crates soiled with urine and feces. It was also filled with clothing and garbage.

The dogs were saturated in waste, according to lead animal protection officer Nicole Montano of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service.

Thirteen of the dogs are Pekingese and one is a Brussels Griffon. Five are puppies.

The owner is being charged with operating an illegal kennel, according to a news release from SCRAPS.

The dogs were taken to the SCRAPS shelter at 2521 N. Flora Road for care and cleaning and will be available for adoption starting Monday.

SCRAPS staff and volunteers were working on bathing, grooming and evaluating the dogs’ temperaments Friday, said Jackie Bell of SCRAPS.

Stolen tools found in storage unit

More than $10,000 in stolen tools were recovered from a Spokane Valley storage unit Friday.

Detective Mark Renz believes the tools were stolen by Todd E. Hickman, 45, of Spokane, who was arrested Aug. 28 after police found him inside a vacant home looking for copper wire to steal, according to the Spokane Valley Police Department.

Hickman was released after charges weren’t filed within 72 hours, but a felony burglary charge was filed in connection with the case Thursday.

Detectives also have probable cause to arrest Hickman for second-degree burglary after a search Friday at the Spokane Mini-Warehouse in the 4500 block of East Trent Avenue revealed $10,000 to $15,000 worth of tools, including rolling tool cabinets, stolen from Acme Machine Works on East Sharp Avenue on Aug. 1, police said.

Public help sought in three arsons

A string of three early-morning arsons Friday was turned over to fire investigators in Spokane Valley.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is asking for help from the public in solving the crimes.

The first arson was reported at 2:13 a.m. in the 11600 block of East 19th Avenue where a row of tall shrubs in front of a home was set ablaze.

A second fire – a 2004 Mazda sedan – was reported at 2:50 a.m. in the 14600 block of East Cataldo Avenue. The vehicle was expected to be a total loss.

The third fire, at 3:51 a.m., occurred in the 4300 block of South Ball Drive and involved tall weeds and grass.

Anyone with information regarding the crimes is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 or the fire department at (509) 928-1700.