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

In brief: Man suspected of stealing from cemeteries arrested

From Staff Reports

Police arrested a man Thursday who is suspected of stealing items from memorial niches at local cemeteries.

Richard D. Hall, 30, is accused of burglarizing and damaging a cemetery. Spokane County sheriff’s detectives have been investigating the ongoing thefts at cemeteries in Spokane Valley and unincorporated Spokane County, according to a news release.

During a brief court appearance Friday, Hall’s bond was set at $15,000. Spokane County Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza said he was basing that on Hall’s previous criminal history and his numerous failures to appear in court. “Fifty-three (failure to appear) warrants is not a record, but it’s certainly in the top ten,” Cozza said.

Sofa fire damages house, kills dog

A dog died in a house fire in Spokane Valley on Friday, but two adults and three small children were able to escape the flames.

The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to the 11200 block of East Springfield Avenue just after noon Friday. One of the residents told firefighters that everyone in the home was asleep when the smoke detector sounded, Fire Marshal Kevin Miller said.

The resident said he found the sofa on fire and attempted to get it out of the house. He and a friend suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation in the unsuccessful effort to remove the sofa, Miller said.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire within 15 minutes, Miller said. The home sustained about $75,000 in damage and the cause is under investigation. The residents are renters and did not have insurance; they are being assisted by the Red Cross.

Threatening photo leads to teen’s arrest

A Facebook post showing a former Cheney High School student holding a gun and stating he was going to bring the gun to school led to his arrest early Friday.

The post was noticed by two Cheney High students late Thursday, and their parents called police. The post was taken down after a few minutes, but it had already been saved, Cheney police Sgt. Kelly Hembach said in a news release.

The former student lives in Airway Heights but was found at a friend’s house in Spokane Valley, Hembach said. The 16-year-old was arrested and booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention on charges of felony harassment-threats to harm.

The former student denied making any threats and said he was holding a BB gun, Hembach said.