Parking lot activity leads to arrests, ‘stolen stuff’

Liberty Lake police made two unexpected arrests Monday when they responded to a call of disruptive activity in the Safeway parking lot on Liberty Lake Road at 8 a.m.

Officers contacted two men in a Silver Nissan, who initially gave false names, said Police Chief Brian Asmus. Officers determined their true identities and learned that both were wanted on warrants.

The men were both in possession of realistic looking Colt .45 Airsoft pistols, Asmus said. Their pockets were reportedly full of drugs, drug paraphernalia and brand new cellphones, he said. The car had been stolen in Spokane the day before and the license plates on it were also stolen.

“The car was full of stuff,” Asmus said. After the registered owner gave police permission to search the car, they found about 50 video games still in the wrapper, tactical flashlights like those used by police, solar chargers and survival gear. All the items were new and still in the packaging.

“Right now we’re trying to figure out where all this stolen stuff came from,” Asmus said.

Yakov I. Burlachenko, 36, was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a warrant for theft and on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. Sergey P. Zubenko, 28, was booked on a Department of Corrections warrant and for possession of stolen property. Additional charges are likely, Asmus said.

Other calls Nov. 10-17

NOV. 10: Fraud was reported by a resident in the 24000 block of East Spotted Owl Lane. She told police that she agreed to cash a $400 check for a friend of a friend. The check turned out to be fake.

NOV. 13: An abandoned car was towed from the area of Bitterroot Lane and Bitterroot Street.

NOV. 15: A business in the 1400 block of North Liberty Lake Road reported that an intoxicated customer had left without paying his bill.

NOV. 16: Items valued at more than $400 were reported stolen in a vehicle prowl in the 1800 block of North Willamette. Another vehicle prowl was reported in the 20000 block of East Meyers Avenue, but the owner said nothing appeared to be missing.

ARRESTS: Police made two arrests for driving with a suspended license, one for driving under the influence and one for hit and run. An additional person was arrested on a warrant for potentially dangerous dog at large and dog exhibiting vicious propensities.

CITATIONS: Officers handed out five citations for expired vehicle registration, eight for failure to show proof of liability insurance and seven for speeding. Additional citations were given for driving without a license with identification, defective headlights, defective muffler, failure to stop at a red light and improper signaling.