Monday morning traffic stop leads to meth arrest

A man was arrested Monday morning after small quantities of methamphetamine and related paraphernalia were discovered inside his car during a traffic stop.

The man was pulled over when Spokane Valley Police officer Richard Johnson spotted a black Mazda near University and Riverside with a piece of plastic duct tape on the windshield that appeared to obscure the driver’s view.

The motorist, identified as Kristopher Alan Johnson, 38, said his license was no longer valid and the officer confirmed that it had expired in 1989. He arrested Johnson for first-degree driving with no valid operator’s license. A search of the vehicle uncovered methamphetamine drug paraphernalia and a small quantity of the drug, Spokane Valley police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

The officer then booked Johnson into Spokane County Jail on a felony count of possession of controlled substance.

Thieves have festive time

While the party was rocking a pair of thieves came knocking.

A pair of burglars made off with computer equipment and tools from a Spokane Valley business while the employees held a holiday party, Reagan said. An employee of Quarry Tile told Spokane Valley police that the thieves entered the firm’s warehouse at 6328 E. Utah Ave. through an unsecured door.

While the revelers partied, the suspects spent nearly two hours inside the warehouse, leaving for about 45 minutes, but returned for more, according to security video.

The thieves, who appear to be white males in their 20s, stole two computers, a reciprocating saw and Roto Hammer, apparently gaining access to the back door by climbing fencing at the rear of the warehouse.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Spokane Valley Police at 242-TIPS.

Fake money order doesn’t fool woman

A scam that involves the victim cashing a counterfeit money order has surfaced in Spokane County again, Reagan said.

In the scam the victim receives a money order for a large money amount, usually several thousand dollars. The sender claims to be unable to cash the order, usually because he or she is out of the country, and asks that the victim cash the money order. In compensation, the victim can keep a portion of the proceeds.

The orders appear real and are honored, only to be discovered as fakes later. In effect, the counterfeiter is using the victim as an unwitting accomplice.

In this week’s attempt, a woman living on East Longfellow in Spokane Valley was the targeted victim. She wisely declined to participate and reported the matter to police.

Cigarette package needed warning label

Spokane Valley police arrested a 43-year-old woman Monday after discovering black tar heroin inside her Marlboro cigarette package, Reagan said.

Police stopped 44-year-old Lori A. Smith after she turned into the alley behind the Red Top Motel on East Trent Avenue without signaling. Her license was determined to be suspended and she was arrested on the traffic misdemeanor.

The officer spoke to Smith’s passenger, Joyce E. Taylor, 43, who lives at the motel. He asked if she had any drugs and then asked for and was granted permission to check her pockets.

He found a cigarette pack in her clothing, looked inside and discovered that it contained a small quantity of heroin instead of cigarettes.

The officer arrested Taylor and booked her into the Spokane County Jail on a felony count of possession of a controlled substance. He released Smith after citing her for second-degree driving while license suspended, failure to signal and failure to provide proof of insurance.