Jeans trip up thief at mall

A 23-year-old Veradale man was arrested Friday after allegedly stealing three pairs of jeans from the NorthTown Mall in north Spokane and attempting to return them at the Spokane Valley Mall.

Brandon L. Maganas was caught trying to steal another pair of jeans from a dressing room at the J.C. Penney store in the Spokane Valley said Cpl. Dave Reagan, Spokane Valley Police spokesman.

Maganas had allegedly stolen three pairs of jeans from the NorthTown J.C. Penney store earlier in the day and gave them to a female accomplice to return for cash.

When employees at the NorthTown store refused to accept the stolen jeans, Maganas and the female drove to the Spokane Valley Mall to attempt to return the pants there. Employees there refused the refund as well, Reagan said.

Maganas attempted to steal another pair of jeans from the Valley store, putting the jeans on under his pants.

When officers attempted to stop Maganas outside the mall doors he ran through the parking lot and was caught when he tripped and fell, Reagan said.

Maganas was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a charge of trafficking stolen property. Another charge of third-degree theft is pending, Reagan said.

The female accomplice was not found, but the she did fill out an application for the refund which listed her name and address. An investigation into her participation is ongoing, Reagan said.

Speeding leads to drug arrest

A Spokane Valley woman was arrested Sunday after police discovered cocaine in her purse during a traffic stop.

Spokane Valley Police Officer Dale Toliver stopped Stephanie Ann Jennen, 29, about 1 p.m. for speeding along Interstate 90, said Reagan.

Jennen had a Montana driver’s license, which was suspended, and a Washington driver’s license that expired in 1998, Reagan said.

She was arrested for driving while license suspended, and during a search of her car Toliver found cocaine as well as a small amount of marijuana and three used drug pipes, Reagan said.

Jennen was booked into the Spokane county Jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance.

Escapee busted after tossing trash

A Spokane Valley fugitive wanted for a warrant charging him with escape was arrested Saturday after he threw garbage from his car window as he ran a stop sign, prompting a traffic stop by Spokane Valley police.

Officer Wade Nelson witnessed Christopher F. Ruger, 29, drive past a stop sign near Wilbur and Montgomery and toss out an empty juice container onto the roadway, said Reagan.

Nelson stopped Ruger’s white Chevy van and Ruger first apologized for littering and offered to pick up the trash, Reagan said.

Nelson had already learned that Ruger was wanted on a Washington State Department of Corrections warrant charging him with escape from community custody and arrested him.

During a search of the van, Nelson found methamphetamine, scales and packaging materials.

Ruger was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the warrant and a new charge of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

Man injured in scuffle

A 60-year-old unidentified Newman Lake man suffered a cut on his arm during a struggle with two men he found in his driveway Sunday night.

The man told Spokane County Deputies that he saw someone using a flashlight in his driveway before 10 p.m., said Reagan. He went outside and surprised two men, who jumped into a red Jeep Cherokee.

He told police that he ran up to the Jeep and tried to open the car door, but the car began backing away with his hand caught in the handle, Reagan said. He reportedly smashed the driver’s side door and reached in to grab the keys, cutting his arm in the process. He told police that the driver threatened him, then carried on a conversation with his companion in Russian.

After getting the door open, the man saw something he thought might be a knife and left to call for help, Reagan said. The two men drove away, but left behind two pairs of gloves, one stained with blood. An identical pair of gloves had been found earlier on Lakewood Lane where an attempted burglary took place, Reagan said.

The two men would have had to take down a cable blocking the driveway and drive past a “No Trespassing” sign to get near the home, Reagan said.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Sheriff’s tip line at 242-TIPS.

It doesn’t pay to litter

A lit cigarette tossed on the road in front of a Spokane Valley Police Officer sealed the fate of a man who ended up being charged with a multitude of crimes Sunday night.

An officer pulled over a white Thunderbird near Sprague and Howe after he noticed the car seemed to have expired license plates, said Reagan. The driver, identified as 47-year-old Brian L. Jones, had no license or insurance and the officer soon discovered that he had a misdemeanor warrant out for this arrest.

While the officer was in his patrol car getting information on the man, the driver tossed a lit cigarette out his window, prompting the officer to arrest him for discarding a tobacco product in the roadway.

After arresting Jones, the officer found a bag of methamphetamine in his pockets, Reagan said. He was booked into jail on a charge of possession of meth. Jones, of 4901 E. Second Ave., was also cited for second degree no valid driver’s license, no proof of liability insurance, switched/altered license plate, expired vehicle license (over 60 days), and failure to notify the Department of Licensing of an address change.

Failed job evaluation

A Spokane Valley man apparently had enough of working and decided to steal his employers’ money instead, but was caught by police.

Police were called to First Choice Auto at 7103 E. Sprague Ave. Sunday afternoon where employees reported that a salesman had driven off in a Chevrolet truck belonging to the business, said Reagan.

Police spotted the truck a couple hours later and stopped the driver, identified as Jody P. Geurin, 32. Police discovered that Geurin allegedly stole three blank checks from the business’ office. He reportedly forged two of the checks for $700 each and went gambling at an East Sprague Casino.

Police found the third blank check and $1,200 cash in the man’s pockets, Reagan said. Geurin, of 726 N. McDonald Road, was arrested and charged with taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s permission, forgery and second-degree theft.