A convicted thief released from jail earlier this month was arrested Saturday after a citizen spotted him break into a car.

Nicholas F. Zielke, 19, told police he didn't know why someone was trying to pick a fight with him at the Conoco gas station at North Ash Street and West Indiana Avenue, but police say two men confronted Zielke after he was spotted prowling a car.

One of the men chased Ziekle as he dropped a box stolen from the car, according to police.

Spokane police Sgt. Steve Braun noticed the men about to fight and stopped them, then arrested Ziekle.

Officer Aaron Kirby found a bag of meth in Zielke's pocket, according to court documents. Zielke then spit on Kirby, which led to a third-degree assault charge, police say.

Zielke pleaded guilty April 11 to third-degree retail theft and was credited for 25 days already spent in jail. The charge stemmed from three theft arrests at Spokane three department stores.
 

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