Perry District auto shop raided for drugs

Spokane police have arrested three people for selling drugs out of a Perry District auto repair shop. Police spokeswoman Detective Lydia Prichard said undercover officers made several drug buys from suspects at Lonnie’s Auto Repair, located at 826 S. Perry Street. Detectives raided the shop and seized meth and hydrocodone pills while serving a search warrant Wednesday afternoon. Three people were arrested for drug charges, including the shop’s owner, Prichard said. Joseph Johnson, 52, and Gerry R. Elerding, 41, were arrested for dealing while Lonnie D. Sandros, 59, was arrested for letting his shop be used for drug deals. Each of the suspects were cooperative during the arrest, she added. The shop was closed by Spokane Code Enforcement a few weeks ago for code violations. Instead of repairing cars, they were supposed to be repairing their building.