In brief: Credit card burglar sought by Spokane County deputies

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies are looking for a burglar who reportedly entered a Spokane Valley home and stole several credit cards while the residents were sleeping.

A man living on the 11300 block of East Jackson Road woke up at 5:15 a.m. Monday to let his dog out when he noticed a window in the living room was open and the screen knocked out, according to a Sheriff’s Office news release. The homeowner discovered his wallet was missing and found his wife’s purse under a carport, its contents scattered on the ground.

The homeowner’s debit card was used three times in Spokane Valley before the cards were reported stolen, according to the release.

The Sheriff’s Office has not identified any suspects.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward for anyone who can provide information leading to an arrest. Visit www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org or call (800) 222-TIPS to leave information.

Man pleads guilty to killing stepfather

A Ferry County man pleaded guilty Friday to strangling and beating his stepfather to death with a tire iron while his frightened ex-girlfriend hid nearby.

Morgan Eugene Christensen, enraged that his mother and stepfather had housed his ex-girlfriend to protect her from physical abuse by Christensen, broke into the couple’s home in October 2012, according to a news release.

Witnesses reported seeing Christensen, then 32, standing outside his parents’ house the night before the murder, holding a hammer and threatening to kill his stepfather, Brian Brill, according to the release. He tried unsuccessfully to break into the home but returned the next day.

Christensen found Brill, beat him with a tire iron and strangled him, according to the release.

Christensen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder with a deadly weapon and first-degree burglary, according to the release. He faces potential life sentences for each charge at his sentencing Dec. 13.