Suspect sought in alleged scam
Spokane Police detectives are searching for a man who is suspected of stealing $7,000 from a retired veteran and $2,000 from an elderly woman in a scam to replace siding on their homes.
The suspect is 43-year-old Gary Dean Schmitt, who lives at 1728 West Shannon. Schmitt has a suspended contractor’s license with the state of Washington, and he has refused to obtain a new license, police spokesman Dick Cottam said in a press release.
Detective J.D. Anderson said Schmitt has 10 felony convictions that include theft, attempting to elude and vehicular homicide. He also has a pending arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
One victim said Schmitt agreed to replace siding on his residence but placed only a small amount of insulation and never finished the job. Schmitt asked for and received several thousands of dollars from homeowners, claiming “the cost of siding has gone up,” Cottam wrote.
Detective Anderson said it appears Schmitt has a pattern of preying on the elderly throughout the area.
Schmitt is 5-foot-11, 160-pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information of Gary Dean Schmitt is asked to call the TIPS Line at 242-8477.
Hartson to close for paving work
Hartson Avenue will be closed today for paving between Thor and Freya.
To accommodate traffic, Thor will be reversed to a two-way street in that section today only.
Fire caused by kids playing with torch
The Spokane Fire Department extinguished a small structure fire Friday morning after a 7-year-old and 12-year-old playing with a propane torch accidentally lit a wooden deck on fire.
Spokane Fire Battalion Chief Bruce Moline said the fire spread up the external wall of the residential structure located at 3730 E. Courtland Ave. The dispatch call was received at 11:37 a.m. and the first crew was on the scene by 11:43 a.m. Moline said there was no structural damage to the house, since firefighters were able to extinguish the flames quickly.
Official investigated after shooting skunk
Prosser, Wash.
A Benton County commissioner raised an even bigger stink than expected when he decided to shoot a stubborn skunk that had taken up residence near the county courthouse.
City police now are investigating whether Commissioner Max Benitz Jr. broke the law by discharging a firearm within the city limits.
The skunk had moved into and was spraying inside a rarely used building adjacent to the courthouse.
Animal control officers and other authorities did not respond to calls, Benitz said, and the smell Thursday was getting “worse and worse.”
Benitz shot the skunk with a .22 caliber rifle and carted it off.
“If you live out in the rural area, you expect to get these problems,” Benitz said. “You learn to take care of these situations.”