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

Arrest made in daytime burglaries

One man has been arrested for two recent daytime burglaries in Liberty Lake and police are searching for his accomplice, who has not yet been identified.

Homeowners in the 22000 block of East Settler Drive and the 24000 block of East Desmet Road reported having their front doors kicked in on Sept. 25. The resident on Settler did not report any items missing but the resident of Desmet reported a $2,200 television as stolen.

Witnesses at both locations reported seeing a suspicious car in the neighborhood and one provided a partial license plate number. The homeowner had written down the serial number of the television, which was pawned the day of the burglaries. Police contacted the man who pawned it, who has been identified as Lorenzo R. Lezard, said Police Chief Brian Asmus.

Lezard reported pawning the television on behalf of Vayacheslav B. Znovets, 23, who is known as “Slav.” Lezard was upset because he didn’t get a share of the cash like he was expecting, said Detective Ray Bourgeois. “He said Slav stiffed him on it,” Bourgeois said. “Lorenzo has been pawning lots of stuff for him.”

The list of items Lezard has pawned in the last five years runs for 10 single-spaced pages. At least two times he pawned more than 200 DVD’s in a single day and has frequently sold knives and electronics.

Znovets was spotted driving down the road in his car, which matched the descriptions given by witnesses, and was arrested in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Sept. 30. He is being held on $20,000 bond on a charges of possession of stolen property and trafficking in stolen property.

Bourgeois said Znovets is also the suspect in several burglaries in Spokane Valley. Police are also investigating whether he is connected to several vehicle prowls in Liberty Lake last month.

Asmus said the department has requested that prosecutors charge Lezard with trafficking in stolen property.

Znovets’ accomplice in the burglaries, whom Znovets won’t identify, is described only as being in his 20s with blond hair.

Other calls from

Sept. 28 to Oct. 5

Sept. 29: Witnesses reported that a car hit the median at Country Vista Drive and Henry Road and left the scene just before 6:30 a.m. An officer found the car nearby on the side of the road with two flat tires. Two small children were inside. The female driver was arrested for driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license and two counts of reckless endangerment.

Oct. 2: A dead deer was reported in the 24000 block of East Valleyway Avenue.

Oct. 3: A car was reported stolen from the 22000 block of East Country Vista Drive.

Oct. 4: A man was arrested for allegedly restraining a woman, threatening to kill her and breaking down her door in the 25000 block of East Hawkstone Loop. She also told police that he prevented her from calling 911 several times. He is facing charges of burglary, harassment-threats to kill, unlawful imprisonment, assault and interfering with reporting domestic violence.

Arrests: Police made one arrest for driving under the influence and one for driving with a suspended license.

Citations: Officers handed out three citations for failure to show proof of liability insurance and 14 for speeding. Citations were also given for defective tail light/license plight, no stop lights or turn signal, failure to stop/yield at an intersection and second-degree negligent driving.