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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Unattended car left running an invitation to thieves

The Spokesman-Review

When temperatures drop people are tempted to start their car and go back inside while it warms up.

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office warns that not only does that make it easy for thieves to steal your vehicle, but it’s also illegal.

Deputies can issue a person a $101 ticket for leaving a car running while unattended, spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

“It puts deputies at risk…and it puts the public at risk, because the person who has stolen the car has no reason to follow traffic laws,” Reagan said.

In the last two weeks, the county has had one report of a car being stolen after someone left it running unattended. The Spokane Police Department also has had a couple of reports.

Meth found during traffic stop

Spokane Valley police found more than an ounce of methamphetamine in a car Sunday after the driver was stopped for speeding.

Sunday evening, a deputy was driving east on Interstate 90 when he saw a red Nissan Sentra enter the freeway from Third Avenue and begin passing other vehicles, Reagan said. The deputy paced the car going 74 mph in a 60 mph zone and stopped it.

Jason W. Lyden, 424 E. Euclid Ave., and a 16-year-old girl, were charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, Reagan said. Lyden also may face charges for driving while suspended and possession of a concealed dangerous weapon.

Lyden was arrested after the deputy discovered he had a suspended license, Reagan said. A dagger was found in a sheath on his belt.

When the deputy searched the car, a baggie of methamphetamine was found in the backseat where the 16-year-old had been sitting, Reagan said. Neither claimed ownership of the drugs. Drug scales were found in the car’s center console.

Purse holds license, meth

A Spokane Valley woman’s driver’s license was in purse where police found drugs but she claimed the purse wasn’t hers.

Laurie M. Cleveland, 3205 S. University Road, failed to persuade police with her claim and was charged with possession of methamphetamine, Reagan said.

A Spokane Valley police officer was at 26th Avenue and Sunrise about 7 a.m. Sunday when he saw a car make an illegal turn, Reagan said. The driver was arrested when the officer discovered her license was suspended.

The officer searched the purse from which the woman had retrieved her license and found two baggies of meth inside it, Reagan said. The woman claimed she had no idea who the purse belonged to, but when she found it inside her car, she decided to put her belongings in it.