School closes during nearby bomb scare

Wed., Feb. 8, 2006

By John Craig johnc@spokesman.com

Havermale High School was locked down Tuesday morning when Airway Heights and Spokane police searched a home behind the school for stolen equipment and found what looked like an improvised bomb.

Officers also found the stolen property, but the “bomb” turned out to be coffee creamer.

Airway Heights police Sgt. Greg Rogan said the Spokane police bomb squad was called as a precaution when officers found two Mason jars containing a white, powdery substance duct-taped together, with a rag sticking out of the top.

Rogan said the lockdown at the school, 1300 W. Knox, was extended briefly while the bomb squad examined the coffee creamer. The approximately 20-minute lockdown was imposed around 10 a.m. because the search at 1411 W. Shannon was only about 50 yards from the school.

Airway Heights police obtained a warrant to search the house when Detective Kelly Justice got a tip that the occupant, 42-year-old Michael P. Butler, was in possession of $20,000 to $30,000 worth of equipment stolen in a Jan. 29 burglary at Airway Heights Industrial Park, Rogan said. All but three of the stolen items were found in Butler’s detached garage, Rogan said.

The highly specialized equipment belonged to Seaport Steel and another business, Metal Fabrication Co., which share a warehouse at Hayford and McFarland roads, Rogan said. Justice said the burglar or burglars gained entry through a small, unlocked door in a large roll-up door.

Butler was arrested when he arrived while officers were searching his home. He was booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree possession of stolen property.

Another man in the house when officers arrived, 24-year-old Paavola J. Wheeler, was arrested on methamphetamine possession charges. Wheeler was not considered a suspect in the burglary, Rogan said.

Justice said the burglary remains under investigation and more arrests are possible.

Meanwhile, Rogan said, a “mishmash” of items not related to the Airway Heights burglary was found in Butler’s garage and turned over to Spokane police. He said the items included construction tools and car parts.

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