Driver booked on meth charge after traffic stop

A 29-year-old Otis Orchards man was arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop Saturday.

Sheriff’s Deputy J.P. Melton was patrolling near Barker and Interstate 90 about 4 p.m. when he spotted a northbound Ford Tempo. The car allegedly had a loud exhaust and was emitting a cloud of heavy smoke.

Melton stopped the car. The driver, identified as Eric A. Ripplinger, 5516 N. McKenzie Road, could not provide proof of insurance. His driver’s license also was suspended, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Ripplinger was arrested. Underneath the front seat, Melton found three small bags allegedly containing 33.9 grams of methamphetamine. The search also turned up a drug pipe and drug scale, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Ripplinger was arrested on a charge of suspicion of possessing of meth with the intent of delivering it. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the felony charge.

Slow-moving truck driver booked on theft charge

A Massachusetts man was arrested after allegedly stealing a semi-tractor and trailer from a parking lot on East Broadway Avenue Friday.

Spokane Valley Police Officer Scott Bonney noticed a semi-truck traveling slowly down Interstate 90 early Friday. Bonney passed the truck on his way to an alarm call.

After he went by, sheriff’s communications officers advised him the semi had been reported stolen from the Wal-Mart parking lot at 15727 E. Broadway Ave., according to the Spokane Valley Police Department.

The officer pulled to the shoulder and waited for the truck to pass him. With the assistance of other officers, Bonney stopped the truck just past the Argonne exit, according to police. The original driver of the semi told police he’d stopped at Wal-Mart for breakfast and had left the semi running and unlocked while he went inside the store for a few minutes.

Christopher M. Salvaggi, of Hanson, Mass., was booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of first-degree theft at 2:30 a.m. Friday.

Two arrested after wheeling cart out of Albertsons

A man and woman were booked into the Spokane County Jail on Saturday after they were allegedly caught shoplifting from a grocery store.

Police were called to Albertsons grocery store at 8851 E. Trent Ave. about 4:30 p.m. Saturday after security employees said they watched a couple put things in their basket. The two then wheeled the full basket past checkouts without paying, police say.

The couple was stopped outside the store. The value of the merchandise was approximately $500, police said.

Brian B. Tatsey and Phyllis L. Tatsey were each booked into the Spokane County Jail on suspicion of felony theft.

One teen arrested after alleged car-jacking

A 16-year-old was arrested after allegedly trying to steal a car at gunpoint Monday.

Spokane Valley Police Department officers responded about 1:30 a.m. to the attempted car-jacking.

Residents at a house in the 900 block of South Dollar Road told officers two “punk-looking” suspects had demanded a car and other property at gunpoint. One teen had a rifle, the other a pistol, the victims told police.

The victims told police they refused to give the teenagers their car, but did hand over a wallet and cellular phone.

The two teens then ran south.

Two officers spotted a Ford Taurus pulling away from the area where witnesses had seen teens running, said Valley Police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan.

The two officers activated their emergency lights and siren, but the car did not pull over. During the pursuit, the suspects hit a patrol car. None of the officers was injured in the crash, but one suffered minor injuries during the foot chase, Reagan said

Eventually, the suspects jumped from the slowing car on Center Road, Reagan said. Officers found a .22-caliber rifle and some of the allegedly stolen property in the suspects’ vehicle, Reagan said.

A nearby resident spotted the 16-year-old hiding in brush and pointed him out to officers. The 16-year-old was booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention on a single robbery count.

The other suspect was not located and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the incident should call Crime Check at 456-2233.