In brief: Driver arrested after reports of man trying to lure females
Spokane police arrested Jose Galvan, 32, on suspicion of trying to lure women and girls into his car.
Police received several calls Thursday morning regarding a man driving a black sedan and approaching females in the area of the 1100 block of West Dalton Avenue.
One caller provided a partial license plate number and a suspect description.
Officers soon stopped Galvan, but had to let him go.
An hour later, a 14-year-old girl reported a male driving a similar car in the 3400 block of North Crestline Street asked her several times to get into his black sedan. She provided a full license plate number and identified Galvan during a stop. He was then arrested.
Catholic Charities reaches goal
Catholic Charities reached its $1 million goal for the 2012 Christmas Collection, marking an all-time record in the 101-year history of the organization and enabling it to cover most of its program costs.
This year’s goal – up from $800,000 in prior years – was higher due to cuts in government funding that aid programs for the poor, said Rob McCann, executive director of Catholic Charities.
The agency’s House of Charity homeless shelter is not receiving any government funding for its sleeping program for the first time in more than 50 years.
Police release suspect drawing
COEUR D’ALENE – Police released a drawing that depicts a man suspected of trying to rape a woman last month near North Idaho College.
A 21-year-old woman told police a man attacked her the night of Jan. 11 as she walked near West Hubbard Avenue and North College Drive.
The drawing is an artist’s rendering based on the woman’s recollection. He is described as 35 to 40 years old, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall with an average build. He had blondish-red facial hair – a mustache and stubble – and wore a brown Carhartt-style jacket, a gray beanie hat and boots.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at (208) 768-2320.
Spokane man fatally shot
SANDPOINT – A Spokane man is dead following a Wednesday evening shooting.
Sandpoint police found Alberto Tuinzing, 36, unresponsive at 726 N. Sixth Ave., and Anthony Viola, 35, who had been shot in the arm. Both men were taken to a hospital, where Tuinzing was pronounced dead. An autopsy is pending.
Medics treated Viola, who is cooperating in the investigation. Police say he was shot with a handgun that has been recovered.
The two men are related. No one has been charged with a crime.
Concert will aid Valley Partners
Tonight’s “Winter Dreaming” concert will benefit Spokane Valley Partners.
The concert will feature vocal selections from musical theater productions including “Mamma Mia,” “Camelot” and “Les Miserables.” Guests will hear the new arrangement by composer Valerie Roth Roubos of Paul Dukas’ symphonic poem “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
The concert also will feature doo-wop songs and selections by the Eastern Valley Community Choir.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. today at St. Joseph’s Church, 4125 N. Arden Road in Otis Orchards. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and $30 for families of three or more.
Wal-Mart robbers sought
Spokane Valley police are looking for a pair of suspected Wal-Mart robbers who got away driving a silver 1996 Honda Accord.
The man and woman hid items under a coat and purse and tried to leave the retailer at 5025 E. Sprague Ave. without paying, according to police.
When store security officers confronted them, the man brandished a knife and the pair fled. The car’s license plate number is 356 VJA. Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward.
Robbery suspect arrested
Spokane police arrested Matthew Doud, 32, accusing him of robbing a Papa Murphy’s Pizza on Tuesday.
An alert citizen noticed a man holding a mask standing on the corner near the pizza shop at 1624 W. Rowan Ave. and watched as he ran from the shop and hopped into a red Chevy Blazer with distinctive stickers in the rearview window.
Another citizen heard about the robbery on a police scanner, saw the car and called police to the Shadle area.