Repo Men Investigated

Fri., June 7, 1996

Gita Sitaramiah Staff writer

Medical Lake police are investigating two Spokane Rent-To-Own employees on suspicion they broke into a woman’s apartment to repossess furniture.

A company manager called it an “honest mistake,” but conceded the workers shouldn’t have climbed in through a window.

Serena Cogburn said she entered her Medical Lake apartment on May 31 and discovered the rented couch and loveseat were missing.

So was a gold ring with four diamonds, a videocassette recorder and $250, she said.

Rent-To-Own Manager Mark Vega said his employees obtained permission to take the furniture in a telephone conversation with Cogburn’s former roommate, who co-signed the rental contract.

Cogburn said she told the company the roommate had moved out two months earlier and she would be responsible for the payments. She said she was less than two weeks behind when the furniture was grabbed.

Vega said the employees tried but were unable to reach Cogburn. He said his employees wouldn’t take any personal belongings.

“I have honest people working who’ve been doing this for a long time,” he said. “There was absolutely no malicious intent.”

Police wouldn’t release the names of the employees.

Officer Dane Gilman said he’s investigating the case as a possible burglary.

Vega said his company wants to make amends with Cogburn. “The guys are sick about it,” he said. “I’m sick about it.”

, DataTimes

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