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

Police: Six arrests made in South Hill burglary spree

Spokane police arrested six people last weekend suspected in a string of South Hill home break-ins and garage burglaries.

The announcement came a day after Spokane County filed paperwork laying out a case against eight people involved in a vehicle prowling ring that stole more than $50,000 in electronics and other goods in several crime sprees from Liberty Lake to Spokane International Airport.

In the South Hill case, 45 burglaries have been reported near Manito Park and Comstock Park during the past month. In response, police Capt. Dave Richards said the department increased patrols in those neighborhoods. Reported crimes included about 18 residential and 27 garage burglaries in a 28-day period, many involving stolen bikes and electronics. Richards said police believe the crimes are linked because of similarities in items taken and methods of entry, but declined to explain the methods.

Saturday night, police arrested Delbert Ockey, 19, and Dovin J. Sanders, 20, along with two 16-year-olds. The suspects were driving a stolen vehicle and were arrested after fleeing in the vehicle and on foot, according to police. They are connected to the majority of property crimes in the area, according to police.

Rebecca L. Turner, 32, and Joshua S. Skog, 38, both arrested Friday night near 29th Avenue and Bernard Street in a stolen car, may be involved in the burglaries, according to police. Richards said police are also pursuing additional suspects. “We know who they are,” Richards said.

After the arrests, there were no calls for police service in the affected neighborhoods Monday. “I think we got part of our problem in jail,” Richards said.

In the separate case investigated by the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, detectives believe that from February to early April, eight suspects, including two juveniles, broke into dozens of cars, stealing credit cards, personal electronics, clothing and even hand-drawn artwork, according to a report filed by Spokane County sheriff’s Detective Shannon McCrillis.

Members of the ring used stolen credit cards fraudulently and pawned some stolen items while leaving others behind in motel rooms or discarding them, the report said.

Police encourage residents to lock cars and secure garage door openers so they cannot be used to gain entry. Report suspicious people or vehicles, Richards said.