Computer Theft Suspect Scuffles With Store Owner
Spokane County sheriff’s deputies arrested a Spokane man accused of selling a stolen computer to a Valley computer store and scuffling with the store owner.
Sidney Randall, 34, was arrested Monday, three days after deputies say he sold the computer to BST Computer, 6323 E. Sprague. He has been charged with five counts of trafficking in stolen property, the last three coming Thursday afternoon. Randall also was charged with third degree assault.
Detective Cal Walker said investigators believe Randall is linked to computer thefts at Kaiser Aluminum in Trentwood. More than $30,000 worth of computer equipment has been stolen from Kaiser over the last month and a half, Walker said.
The owner of BST Computer declined to be identified. “I was just trying to do what was right,” he said.
The computer store owner said a man came into his store last Friday and sold him a computer which had Kaiser markings on it. He said he paid with a check and stopped payment immediately after the man left the store.
“I (thought) it would buy me time because I wanted to contact the police and Kaiser,” he said.
The merchant contacted both the Sheriff’s Department and Kaiser and was on the phone with a Kaiser employee when the man returned about 45 minutes later, angry because payment on the check had been stopped.
A struggle ensued and the store owner was bitten on his left forearm during the melee.
“I knew the police were on their way and was trying to contain him,” the store owner said.
Two employees at the computer store attempted to help their boss, but before police arrived the man broke free and ran from the store. He jumped into his car and took off, but the store owner was able to jot down the license plate number.
The store owner went to the hospital, where he was given a tetanus shot and released.
Teenager robbed in Valley
A Spokane Valley teenager said a man followed him into a parking lot at 10700 E. Riverside, robbed him and forced him to disrobe early Monday morning.
The 16-year-old told deputies his assailant grabbed his shirt and took jewelry, a day planner and a pager. He was told to remove his shirt, pants and shoes and lay down.
The attacker, who the victim described as a 300-pound black man, fled in a 1985 Chrysler LeBaron.
Man arrested after punching officer
A Spokane Valley man was arrested on drug and assault charges Tuesday after a struggle with deputies.
Anthony Sottin, 27, of 1616 N. Marguerite, was booked into Spokane County Jail for third-degree assault and possession of a controlled substance.
Deputies became suspicious of Sottin when they approached him on the corner of Sprague and Park.
As they questioned Sottin, deputies said, he reached into his pocket, threw something out and ran away. Deputy Mike Beckman tackled Sottin, who then punched the officer several times.
Wiyrick said deputies recovered the packet, which contained cocaine.
Traffic stop leads to drug arrest
After being stopped for a traffic violation on Tuesday, a Valley man was arrested on drug charges.
Deputies said they stopped Jared Herman, 22, of 14006 E. Broadway, for expired vehicle license tabs. Deputies seated Herman in the back of their patrol car after a records check revealed that his license was suspended.
While Herman waited in the car, he took a small metal container out of his pocket and dropped it on the floor, Wiyrick said. It contained methamphetamines.
Herman was charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving with a suspended license.
He was taken to the county jail.
Youths arrested in car theft
Two teenagers were arrested Monday after a failed attempt to steal a car from a Valley auto dealer.
Deputies arrested a 13-year-old and 17-year-old just north of West Valley Honda on East Sprague after the boys abandoned a stolen 1995 Honda, Wiyrick said.
The teenagers hit a metal pole at the car lot, causing between $4,000 and $6,000 worth of damage, then left the car on the south side of the lot.
The youths were charged with vehicle theft and taken to Juvenile Detention.
, DataTimes