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

Man charged in theft of Liberty Lake motel televisions

An investigation into missing televisions at a Liberty Lake motel last week led to the arrest of a Liberty Lake man on multiple felony charges this week.

Matthew V. Slaughter, 22, was arrested on charges of second-degree burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit burglary/theft. He was also wanted on a felony fugitive from justice warrant from Kentucky.

Employees in the 2300 block of North Madson called police on May 17 to report several missing televisions. “On that day, they detained Slaughter for questioning after he was seen on camera carrying a large, covered item out of the motel he was staying in,” said Liberty Lake Police Department records clerk Sakti Hiatt.

This week investigators determined they had probable cause to arrest Slaughter for the thefts. He was arrested on May 28.

Police arrested a 31-year-old transient at 1 p.m. May 28 in the 1300 block of North Liberty Lake Road on a charge of malicious mischief. Police believe he vandalized two ATMs by throwing mud at one and oranges at the other, Hiatt said.

Other arrests during the week of May 27 to June 3 included seven for driving with a suspended license and one for driving under the influence.

Police made a felony stop on a stolen car in the 1300 block of North Liberty Lake Road the afternoon of May 30 at the request of the Post Falls Police Department. The suspect was held until a detective with the Spokane Regional Auto Theft Unit arrived to take over the investigation, Hiatt said.

A resident in the 25000 block of East Hawkstone Loop called police the morning of May 30 to report that someone had stolen several items from his unlocked car. A motorcycle was reported stolen from the 22000 block of East Country Vista Drive the morning of May 30.

A man reported finding a pair of snow skis in his front yard in the 1200 block of North Ormond Road on Saturday morning.

During the week officers handed out five citations for failure to show proof of liability insurance. Additional citations were given for no brake lights or turn signal, failure to stop/yield at intersection, speeding and failure to wear a safety belt.