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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Vandals spray paint signs, building, fence in Liberty Lake

Someone with a few cans of spray paint caused some headaches Sunday when graffiti was reported at several locations in Liberty Lake. Paint was found on street signs along Valleyway, the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District building on Valleyway, the Pavillion Park sign next to the Molter Road entrance and a section of fence along Molter Road across from Pavillion Park.

Paint cans were recovered and are being analyzed for fingerprints, said Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus. Video surveillance footage from Pavillion Park is also being reviewed. Anyone with information on the painting spree is asked to call Detective Ray Bourgeois at (509) 755-1142.

The remainder of the week of Jan. 23-30 was busy but routine for Liberty Lake officers. Police were called on Jan. 24 by residents who said two people were going door to door asking for money or property they could pawn. An officer contacted a man and a woman in the 1900 block of North Harmony, both of whom appeared to be drunk, Asmus said. It was determined that the woman had a domestic violence protection order against the man, who was arrested, Asmus said.

An officer stopped a car at Liberty Lake and Interstate 90 at 11:30 a.m. Jan. 28 and spotted a glass smoking pipe in the glove box when the driver opened it to get his registration, Asmus said. The driver reportedly admitted to also having marijuana under the driver’s seat, Asmus said. The 18-year-old Otis Orchards man was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A resident called police at 5 p.m. on Jan. 27 to report that someone had used falsified documents to transfer about $98,000 from one of his accounts to an account in South Korea. The case is under investigation.

An attempted car theft was reported in the 23100 block of East Mission Avenue at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 25. The car’s owner told police it appeared someone had attempted to hotwire the car, Asmus said. A homeowner in the 23500 block of East Maxwell Court called police on Jan. 27 to report that a basement window was off its track and it looked as if someone had tried to break into the home, Asmus said. Someone at a business in the 1300 block of North Liberty Lake Road called police at 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 to report that a panhandler was inside asking people for money and refusing to leave. An officer removed him, Asmus said.

Officers made six arrests for driving with a suspended license, one for domestic violence malicious mischief and one on a warrant.

During the week officers handed out eight citations for failure to show proof of liability insurance, eight for speeding and two for illegal use of a cell phone. Additional citations were given for license and plates required, failure to register a vehicle within 30 days, failure to sign/carry vehicle registration and no mirrors.