Stolen truck recovered

Frank Milkowski didn’t stand by as his pickup truck was stolen.

He ran after his truck Saturday evening as the thief accelerated away through the Valley Costco parking lot. Milkowski fell as his truck turned sharply.

The last glimpse he had was of it heading toward East Sprague Avenue.

“It was really brazen and bold,” Milkowski said of the theft. “It’s almost an unsolvable crime. It happened so fast.”

Milkowski had left the truck running while he helped his girlfriend load stuff they had bought at Costco into her vehicle. He watched as a man walked toward his truck, opened the door and began driving away.

Milkowski, who scraped his knee when he fell, reported the theft to the Spokane Valley Police Department. The carpenter, who lives south of Spokane Valley, didn’t have much hope they’d find the 1992 Chevrolet pickup.

Sunday it was found abandoned on U.S. Highway 195.

The truck hadn’t been damaged, but all of Milkowski’s bow hunting gear was stolen.

Police were unable to get fingerprint evidence from the truck, said Spokane Valley Police Department spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan. The loss of hunting gear was estimated at $1,200, Reagan said.

Milkowski was hoarse Monday from yelling at the thief and calling all the local pawn shops and friends in the archery community in hopes of tracking down his stolen gear.

Milkowski is grateful, despite wishing he had his stuff back.

“I really want to commend the police on their response and how they handled it,” said Milkowski.