Elderly woman scammed out of $2,700
A Spokane Valley woman was scammed out of $2,700.
The 90-year-old woman called Crime Check recently to report she gave money to a man who claimed there had been fraudulent activity on her bank account. The man called the victim on Aug. 17 and offered to transfer the money to a safe account for her, according to a press release from the Spokane Valley Police Department.
The woman said she withdrew $2,700 and met a man named Fredericks at the Safeway grocery store on East Sprague Avenue. The woman gave “Fredericks” the money, but hasn’t heard from him since, police said.
The victim could only describe “Fredericks” as a white male, 40 to 59 years old and approximately 6-feet tall.
Sensitive financial information should never be given to strangers over the telephone. Furthermore, people should contact their own bank to verify the caller’s information before changing a checking or credit account, police say.
Anyone with information about the theft should call Crime Check at 456-2233.
Thief takes amps from Sounds on Wheels
A burglar stole $3,000 of car audio equipment from a store Wednesday.
Spokane Valley Police Officer Tanya Walker responded to a burglary alarm at the Sounds on Wheels, 12410 E. Indiana Ave., at 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Walker found the front door had been broken and numerous items had been taken from stands inside the store.
An employee arrived and told Walker seven expensive amplifiers were missing. The amplifiers were big enough that a vehicle was likely used to haul them away, police said.
Anyone with additional information on the incident is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.
Man arrested in grocery store theft
Police arrested a 29-year-old Spokane man who allegedly tried to steal cigarettes from a Spokane Valley grocery store.
Spokane Valley Police officers were called to Tidyman’s, 13014 E. Sprague Ave., Tuesday evening. A security officer told police that a man tried to leave the store without paying for some cigarettes.
Additionally, the alleged thief pushed the glass doors, knocking one off its tracks. The man allegedly pushed a security officer as he ran to his car, Police said.
The man was identified as Timothy P. Hinesly, 29, 707 S. Cannon St. Hinesly was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a robbery charge, Police said.
More scrap metal stolen from B&E
Scrap metal has been stolen from a Spokane Valley business for the third time this month.
The latest theft happened overnight Monday. Between $500 and $700 of metal was stolen from B&E Electric, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
It appears the thief pulled down a section of fence at the Millwood business, 9012 E. Grace Ave., and used a vehicle to haul away a load of scrap copper wire, the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release.
Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.
Check in outgoing mail missing
A woman called Crime Check recently to report that she had mail stolen.
The woman lives in the 17200 block of East Baldwin Avenue and had put outgoing letters and bills in her mailbox, according to the Spokane Valley Police Department.
Neighbors began returning mail to the victim that they had found scattered around the neighborhood. One envelope containing a personal check had been opened, and the check was missing, Police said.
Other residents in the area also have had mail stolen. Neighbors have reported seeing a white four-door car, Police said.
According to a police department press release stealing mail is a way for identity thieves to get checking, savings and credit card information.
The Valley Police Department suggests people not leave outgoing mail in their residential mailboxes.
Anyone with information on the mail thefts should call Crime Check at 456-2233.