Couple suspected of stealing cell phones

Spokane police arrested a husband and wife Monday who are suspected of stealing cellphones and selling them on Craigslist.

Vladimir Stepanov, 20, and his 22-year-old wife, Yuliya Stepanov, were arrested for first-degree trafficking in stolen property and theft after they allegedly asked to borrow a person’s cellphone then fled with it, according to a news release.

A Spokane Public Schools security officer heard police scanner reports about the incident, which took place at 1:20 p.m. in the 5800 block of North Division Street, and called police to say that similar incidents had recently taken place near schools. The security officer, who was not identified, was able to provide police with a license plate number, according to the news release.

Police are asking anyone who has been the victim of or witness to a similar crime to call Crime Check at (509) 459-2233.

Police arrest man with AIDS virus

MERIDIAN, Idaho – Police in Meridian say a 37-year-old man was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of knowingly exposing two sexual partners to the virus that causes AIDS.

Craig Hinckley, of Meridian, was arrested Sunday morning. His first court appearance is set for today.

Investigators say both victims told investigators Hinckley did not reveal he was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus until after he had sex with them. One victim met Hinckley online in March and the second met him at a party on Friday. Police said the victims were 19 and 20, but did not say if they were male or female.

Detectives are concerned there could be more victims.

Homicide suspect arrested in Okla.

SEATTLE – A Washington state man wanted in connection with the death of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend who was found in a burning home was arrested in Oklahoma City on Monday, authorities said.

Jarod Lane, 19, was picked up by Oklahoma City police and Oklahoma state troopers after his abandoned vehicle was spotted on the shoulder of Interstate 35 about 18 miles north of Oklahoma City. A television news crew reported seeing him on the road, said Betsy Randolph, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Lane is a suspect in the death of Jessica Scholl, Renton, Wash., police Detective Robert Onishi said. Lane and Scholl had a romantic relationship but had recently broken up. She was a student at Lindbergh High School; he graduated from the school last year, according to the detective. Lane was taken into custody by Oklahoma City police on a temporary felony arrest for homicide, Onishi said. Detectives from Renton are traveling to Oklahoma City to interview him.

Police had been seeking Lane since firefighters found the girl’s body after putting out a couch fire at the home Friday morning. Lane’s previous last known location was at a gas station in North Bend on Friday morning.