Two longtime felons suspected of prowling
A 51-time felon who was told by a judge 10 years ago that “the system’s had enough of you” is back in jail in connection with property crimes police suspect are related to his heroin addiction.
Brian Lee Danner, 40, was stopped last week in the area of North Cedar Street and Northwest Boulevard while driving a green 1995 Jeep Cherokee belonging to another longtime felon, Johnie L. Vick, 42.
Spokane police officers Nick Geren and Brian Eckersley, along with Sgt. Joe Peterson, were looking for the Jeep after learning of vehicle prowls in Spokane involving it and a 1984 Chevy Blazer also registered to Vick.
Vick was arrested the same day as Danner, June 26, when police located him working on the Blazer at Auto Zone, 2526 N. Division St.
Police believe Danner often smashed car windows to steal purses and other valuables. Danner told police he’d been prowling vehicles to support “a severe substance abuse problem,” according to court documents. Vick also told police he’s a heroin addict who prowls cars to support his habit.
Vick, who has a neck tattoo that says “Ladies Love Outlaws,” could not be booked into jail because of medical reasons; police sent charging recommendations to prosecutors and expect him to be summoned to court once charges are filed.
Danner remains in jail on $10,000 bail for charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of stolen property.
Danner’s criminal history, which includes at least 41 adult felonies and 10 juvenile felonies, includes 25 convictions from 2002 for second-degree possession of stolen property. He was sentenced to two years in prison by Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark.
At the time, Clark said she saw no reason to give Danner, who was returned to prison for the fourth time, an exceptional sentence. She did give him a warning, however: “I’m going to remember you, Mr. Danner. The system’s had enough of you.”
Her warning apparently had little effect on Danner.
He went to prison again in 2006 for property crimes in Stevens County, then returned for his sixth stay in 2010 for – again – property crimes.
Clark isn’t likely to see Danner this time around; she is assigned to juvenile court.