Car theft suspect arrested Monday

Spokane Valley police arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with a car theft after they spotted him walking in an area where suspicious vehicle activity had been reported.

Steven A. Soderstrom, 4812 N. Lee, was charged with first-degree possession of stolen property, Spokane Valley police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

Officers spotted Soderstrom walking north on Sullivan Road Monday about 3:15 a.m. in 45-degree weather wearing shorts and T-shirt, carrying a backpack, Reagan said. The officer searched Soderstrom when his explanation for being out during that time of morning and not wearing weather-appropriate clothing was suspicious.

The backpack belonged to a man who had reported his red Subaru Forester missing from his driveway, Reagan said. Based on information from the suspect, police were able to find the car at 5000 N. Campbell Road. Soderstrom’s identification was found in another backpack in the stolen car.

Cab driver eludes robbery attempt

A City Cab driver foiled a robbery early Sunday when he sped away from a masked man and called police.

Spokane Valley police arrested a woman and three men on charges of attempted first-degree robbery, Spokane Valley police spokesman Cpl. Dave Reagan said.

A 30-year-old cab driver went to Fifth Avenue and Pierce Road for a pickup about 4:10 a.m. Sunday, but found no one there, Reagan said. After a few minutes, the driver saw two men approach the cab. One asked how much a trip to NorthTown Mall would cost. The other circled around behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his head to see a man wearing a mask and who had what appeared to be weapon in his waistband.

Police responded to the attempted robbery call to see a maroon car with two men fitting the driver’s description inside, Reagan said. Police stopped the car at 21st Avenue and University Road. A woman was driving the car with the two men in it plus an additional passenger.

Timothy Jarrett, 32, Brandon L. Chunn, 19, Samantha M. Lamont, 18, and Weldon M. Halloway, 19, were all taken to Spokane County Jail where they were booked on robbery charges, Reagan said. Officers seized two pistols, masks and gloves from inside the car.

Bicyclist arrested on drug charge

Spokane Valley police arrested a 24-year-old man Friday on drug charges after stopping him for riding a bike at night without a light.

Officers stopped the bicyclist at First Avenue and Custer Road about 10:30 p.m. Friday, Reagan said. The outline of a pipe in the man’s pocket prompted a search in which officers found a baggie of methamphetamine.

Benjamin L. Hoffman, 3212 E. 36th Ave., was charged with possession of a controlled substance, Reagan said.

Theft suspect found in book store

A 37-year-old transient was arrested Saturday after meth was found wrapped in a page from a pornographic magazine.

Spokane Valley police were investigating the theft of a Squeaky’s Car Wash employee’s wallet at 9219 E. Sprague Ave., Reagan said. Employees from the car wash told police they saw the suspect go into a nearby adult book store.

Officers found the suspect inside the store, Reagan said. Nothing, other than an old porn magazine, was found when he was searched. Police found a satchel inside a room in the book store. Inside it was meth wrapped in a magazine page, and drug paraphernalia.

Gary L. Waldo was charged with possession of methamphetamine and third-degree escape, Reagan said.

When police told Waldo he was under arrest, he ran, Reagan said. He was tackled about 200 yards away.

No wallet was found.

Check-cashing attempt leads to two arrests

A couple tried to cash a $1,100 check Saturday, but instead of cash they got a ride to jail. Drugs were found in the glove box of the car they were driving.

Shannon E. Oliver, 37, and Shamara R. Mollenberg, 33, both of Priest Lake, Idaho, were charged with forgery and possession of methamphetamine, Reagan said.

Spokane Valley police responded to Wells Fargo Bank, 14020 E. Sprague Ave., when employees discovered the check a man was trying to cash was stolen, Reagan said.

Police detained the couple after discovering they’d both filled out the information to cash the check, Reagan said. After the two were arrested, police searched the car they were driving and found a baggie of methamphetamine.