Arrest is connected with drive-by shooting
Police arrested a 50-year-old man Wednesday morning in connection with a gang-related drive-by shooting that occurred last weekend.
Raymond Lee Thompson was booked into Spokane County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm, said Spokane police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. Other suspects in the drive-by shooting are being sought.
Thompson was arrested leaving his home on East 11th Avenue while other officers were searching his girlfriend’s home at 2229 E. Boone where the shooting occurred, police said.
The shooting was reported about 3:30 a.m. Saturday after a fight broke out between several females partying at the house.
Spokane
Reward offered in search for fugitive
Secret Witness is offering a reward for information that leads to the arrest of a fugitive wanted on two counts of possession of a stolen firearm.
Valentin V. Badrak, 23, is described as white, 6 feet 2 and 201 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.
Deputies think that Badrak possesses two stolen guns, including one that was taken in a residential burglary in Spokane Valley, Reagan said.
Anyone with information regarding Badrak’s whereabouts should call (509) 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect the reward but should leave a code name or number.
Region
WSP plans heightened holiday enforcement
Washington State Patrol will step up its traffic enforcement starting Friday for the holiday weekend.
Drunken drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts will be targeted during the patrols that will continue through Monday, said WSP spokesman Trooper Jeff Sevigney.
WSP will be part of a major patrol emphasis called “Mountain Pacific Highway Safety and Criminal Apprehension Initiative,” Sevigney said. Alaska State Troopers, Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia, Oregon State Police and the California Highway Patrol will join in this “all hands” effort focusing on the interstate highway system.
Last year, WSP troopers arrested 34 people for driving under the influence during Labor Day weekend; 277 people were arrested statewide, Sevigney said. Troopers also investigated four fatal traffic fatalities in Washington.
Pole fires knock out power to 2,800
Utility pole fires caused more than 2,800 Avista Utilities customers to lose power temporarily Wednesday night.
The fires knocked out power for about 2,000 customers, including at Felts Field, in Spokane Valley, 428 in Medical Lake and 425 in Sandpoint, said Avista spokeswoman Catherine Markson. Power was restored to all the locations by 10:24 p.m., she said.
Pole-top fires occur when dust and smoke particles covering equipment mixes with rainwater to create conductivity and electrical arcing, Markson said.
Power was out for about 25 minutes in Spokane Valley, 6.5 hours in Medical Lake and 1.5 hours in Sandpoint, she said.