Sheriff’s detectives gather Christmas greeting during raids

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office detectives seized a half-pound of marijuana Wednesday – and got a thank you note for their hard work.

Darrick J. Preble, 18, and Dustin A. Younker, 20, were each charged with possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Spokane Valley police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said. Younker received three counts of the felony charge.

A third suspect targeted during the raids of two Spokane Valley homes was already in jail, Reagan said. Edgar Ignacio Llanez, 19, was arrested Tuesday night on an outstanding DUI warrant.

Early Wednesday, detectives met in the parking lot of Valley Fourth Memorial Church at 24th Avenue and Bowdish, to prepare for the two raids, Reagan said. The first target was 2614 S. Pines Road, Llanez’s address.

Detectives executed the search anyway, Reagan said. A 1/4-pound of marijuana was found in the home.

When police officers returned to the church parking lot to prepare for the next raid, they had a surprise, Reagan said. They found a written message that read: “Thank you for protecting us” and “God Bless You, Merry Christmas.”

The detectives looked pleased as they prepared for their second raid at 11009 E. 25th Ave.

At that home, they arrested Preble and Younker and seized a 1/4-pound of marijuana and an indoor mushroom-growing operation that had failed, Reagan said. They also found $3,600 in cash hidden under a mattress.

Man taking items from stolen car arrested

Spokane Valley police arrested a 43-year-old man after witnesses saw him removing items from a stolen car.

An officer driving past 12321 N. Felts Road, a residence where stolen cars have been found before, ran the license plates on a Honda and discovered they belonged to another car, Reagan said. He checked the vehicle identification number and discovered the Honda had been reported stolen.

Witnesses identified Lee J. Smith, 8409 E. Mission Ave., as the person seen unloading items from the car, Reagan said. Smith was charged with first-degree possession of stolen property.