A man charged with the theft and arson of his former landlord's house is on trial in Spokane County Superior Court. Lawyers gave opening statements this morning in the case of Stephen J. Czako, who is charged with first-degree theft and first-degree arson. Czako, 26,…
A police chase with a motor home Tuesday night ended with a Spokane Valley man's arrest after the rig tried to ram a patrol car, officials said today. Michael Manuel Chavez, 56, was booked into jail on a second-degree assault charge after inviting police into…
Edgar Steele's lawyers want his murder-for-hire trial moved to Wyoming. A change of venue request filed by Robert McAllister and Gary Amendola cites "negative pre-trial publicity" that will hinder finding an impartial jury in North Idaho. The lawyers say ongoing news coverage, including the release…
DNA testing in Washington is identifying more criminals than ever before. The Washington State Patrol crime lab reported 379 hits last year using a DNA index system and DNA samples from crime suspects and convicted felons. In 2009, 257 hits were recorded. Officials attribute the…
An increase in the number of inmates prompted the Spokane County Jail to begin limiting new bookings on Tuesday. As of noon Tuesday, 665 people were housed at the jail. Booking restrictions are put in place once the population climbs above 650. Bookings will be…
It took three tries, but a Spokane County jury has convicted Gary D. McCabe of his 17th burglary. A jury late Friday found McCabe, 45, guilty of residential burglary and possession of a controlled substance. They acquitted him on one misdemeanor count of possession of…
Public safety news from the Inland Northwest and beyond.
