A man arrested in an alleged stolen property crime spree last fall is now accused of stealing a Spokane County Sheriff detective's gun and FBI identification card during a vehicle prowling last week.

James W. Peterschick, 28, was arrested after a jail inmate looking for a break on drug charges told police he saw Peterschick with the stolen gun on April 21, the day it was stolen from Detective Leroy Fairbanks' government-issued vehicle, according to court documents.

The tipster told detectives of a dumpster at Garland and Post where most of the items had been dumped, then said Peterschick often stayed at cheap motels in Spokane. 

Detectives found Peterschick at Motel 6, 1508 N. Rustle, as well as two fishing poles stolen from Fairbanks' vehicle. Investigators believe Peterschick smashed out the car's window when Fairbanks left it at 5830 N. Division for about 20 minutes, then stole a backpack containing electronics, a Glock handgun, handcuffs, a flashlight, badge and IDs for the Sheriff's Office and FBI.

Peterschick appeared in Superior Court Monday on charges of trafficking in stolen property, possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a controlled substance. He's out of jail on bond.

In February, Peterschick was arrested in a drug and stolen property crime spree uncovered by a Spokane County sheriff’s deputy when he stopped to check on a stranded SUV.

---

---