Couple Chases Burglary Suspects

Sun., Feb. 23, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Rockford-area couple went on a Dukes-of-Hazzard-style chase Saturday, running two would-be burglars off rural Elder Road and into a ditch.

Spokane County sheriff’s deputies arrested Steven Rocky Venziano, 20, and Casey D. Beckham, 21, on charges of residential burglary after the chase. Venziano had an outstanding warrant for possession of stolen property.

The couple, whose names weren’t available, arrived home around 3 p.m. and found two men swiping their computer. When the thieves took off in their Thunderbird, the couple took off after them, said sheriff’s spokesman David Reagan.

The computer crooks ditched the T-bird, then fled on foot. The woman drove after them; her husband stayed behind to guard the car, Reagan said.

The woman lost the trail when the thieves disappeared into a ravine. Deputies were called when a man living along Elder Road reported two strangers outside his barn.

Five sheriff’s cruisers, two Washington State Patrol cars and a helicopter joined the search.

Reagan said deputies found tracks leading into the barn and heard voices in the loft. They planned to let a K-9 loose to flush out the suspects, but feared for the safety of a farm animal inside. Instead, Reagan said the police dog barked out a warning.

Venziano and Beckham surrendered at 4:20 p.m. “They didn’t get very far,” said Reagan.

, DataTimes

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