Defense attorneys in the Coeur d’Alene hate crime trial of three brothers lost an attempt Wednesday to challenge the alleged victim’s credibility by introducing his criminal record, which includes felony convictions for illegally transporting guns. At one point, defense attorney Brad Chapman asked the alleged…
Union leaders representing Spokane Police Department officers say they have approved a no-confidence vote against Chief Anne Kirkpatrick and her administration. The Spokane Police Guild said a “majority” of its 268 members voted in March that they have no confidence in the “office” of the…
The Washington state Liquor Control Board recently received $500,000 seized in an illegal cigarette trafficking case. The money will be used to assist the agency in enforcing liquor laws in the state, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Washington announced Wednesday. The money…
Newly filed documents reveal new details about the encounter with Spokane police Officer Karl Thompson (left) and other officers that led to Otto Zehm's death. Tom Clouse wrote an article explaining that allegations of a cover up by Spokane police officers over their handling of…
A man who reportedly tipped police to the identities of three suspected pharmacy robbers is now accused of participating in the Sept. 27 incident. Benjamin K. Rasmussen, 19, pleaded not guilty today to one charge of first-degree robbery. Police believe he stayed in the car…
Two teens accused of kidnapping and torturing a suspected burglar are in police custody. Jesse T.R. Bushnell, 19; (left) and Jesse R. James, 17, are due in Superior Court this afternoon via video from the jail, where they've been since Tuesday. Bushnell and James are…
The amount of cash awarded for tips that solve crimes is on the rise in the Inland Northwest. The fugitive apprehension organization Crime Stoppers paid $8,750 in rewards on 52 tips last year - an increase since 2008 of 12 tips and more than $6,000.…
A Spokane child care center that provides for up to 12 children closed Monday after state officials said the owners didn’t report an arrest in Idaho for lewd conduct with a minor. Your (sic) a Good Kid day care, operated by Colleen and Adam Ross…
A police chase in Spokane early Tuesday ended with the arrest of a man suspected in a series of fuel heists in the Inland Northwest. Richard L. Trower, 37, was driving a stolen Honda Accord when officers used spike strips to flatten the tires during…
A woman found in Portland with two children who'd been ordered to return to state custody is back in Spokane.Patricia J. Lyons, 25, is in jail on $15,000 bond after she pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Spokane County Superior Court.on one count of second-degree assault.Spokane…
By Thomas Clouse The hate crime trial in Coeur d’Alene taught one of the defendants to check his gear before he draws a practical joke. Deputy Prosecutor Art Verharen used an erasable board to have a witness draw how the Tankovichs' pickup, which had a…
The top managers at Spokane's Lilac Lanes are accused of stealing nearly $175,000 from the business. Eddie S. Williams, 44, and Shari Cawley were arrested today at the bowling alley and gambling hall, located at 1112 East Magnesium Road. Washington State Gambling Commission investigators say…
Crime Stoppers is offering rewards information that helps arrest two Spokane sex offenders who haven't registered. Eric A. Christian, 22, (left) was sentenced to 8 months in jail in June 2008 for a third-degree assault charge. A warrant for Christian's arrest was issued last month…
A woman found in Portland with two children who'd been ordered to return to state custody is back in Spokane. Patricia J. Lyons, 25, is due in Spokane County Superior Court on one count of second-degree assault after police say she stabbed her ex-boyfriend April…
Opening statements are expected today in the trial of three brothers accused of harassing a Coeur d'Alene man because of his ethnicity.Ira Gino Tankovich, 47, Frank James Tankovich, 46, and William Michael Tankovich Jr., 49, (left to right) were indicted by a grand jury last…
Two house fires on Saturday were intentionally set, Spokane fie officials announced today. A fire at 407 E. Crown Avenue broke out just minutes after a fire a few blocks away at 1507 E. Everett Avenue. The first fire began at shed and spread to…
Three people were mugged in Spokane early Saturday, and police are looking for help identifying suspects. Two robberies occurred about 4 a.m. near Sprague and Washington, then at Riverside and Washington. Another occurred between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. at 2200 W. Wellesley Ave. According…
A Stevens County man faces about 7 years in prison for a neighbor dispute that erupted in gunfire last May.A jury recently convicted John Lewis Eberly, Jr., of assault and burglary after he fired a shot through his neighbor's front door, then broke into the…
By Thomas ClouseA man facing a lengthy prison sentence instead pleaded guilty today to a list of charges that resulted from him waving a gun at a group of mostly teenagers. Phillip J. Koller, 61, was charged with several counts of first-degree assault for an…
A Spokane man who murdered a 7-month-old girl, then assaulted her older brother, faces 12 to 20 years in prison when he’s sentenced next month. Jereme J. Bassett, 24, has been in Spokane County Jail since March 20, 2008, the day his now ex-girlfriend brought…
Two teenagers and a Spokane man are accused of kidnapping and torturing a suspected burglar. Police believe Chaz P. Crow, 20; Jesse T.R. Bushnell, 19; and Jesse R. James, 17, kidnapped Russell Cole on two occasions in revenge for Cole stealing from Crow’s apartment, according…
Another suspect has been arrested in a violent home-invasion robbery two weeks ago.Robert Andrew Wilson, 24, is in jail on $175,000 bail. Spokane County Sheriff’s detectives believe he used a crowbar to assault a man and woman in an apartment at 815 W. Bellwood early…
A man who stole a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville at gunpoint in East Central Spokane Thursday is on the loose. The carjacker stole the Pontiac from a woman at First Avenue and Stone Street about 11 p.m., according to the Spokane Police Department. The woman left…
A 25-year-old Spokane man is accused of trying to cover up his involvement in a fiery collision by telling police his car had been stolen. Christopher L. Robinson crashed his car March 31 at 4400 W. Strong Road, taking out a utility pole and knocking…
A man accused of trying to rob a Spokane taco truck owner may have targeted the victim because of his race, new court documents allege. Michael A. Brewer, 22, has been charged under Washington’s hate-crime law after police say he yelled racial slurs while trying…
Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.
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