Adams Elementary hit by vandals

Vandals have targeted Adams Elementary in the past four weeks, Spokane Valley Police reported.

Nine windows were broken over the weekend at the school, 14707 E. Eighth Ave., said Sgt. Dave Reagan, a spokesman for the Spokane Valley Police. A computer also was damaged.

In previous weeks, other windows have been broken.

Anyone with information regarding the vandalism is asked to call 242-8477.

WVHS student stabbed walking home

A Spokane Valley teen was stabbed in the hand last Thursday by a man who confronted him as he was walking home.

The 15-year-old West Valley High School student was in the 3600 block of North Ely Road when a car pulled up beside him, said Reagan. Two passengers exited the car, and one pulled out a hunting-style knife.

When the suspect swung the knife, the 15-year-old put up his arm to block it and received a three-inch gash and puncture wound in his right hand, Reagan said.

The suspects were described as being in their late teens, Reagan said. The car they were in was a smaller, two-door hardtop with a noticeable dent over the right rear bumper.

Anyone with information regarding this attack is asked to call 242-8477.

Drugs found during traffic stop

Jailers found baggies of cocaine on two men who were arrested on warrants Saturday after a driver was pulled over for a traffic violation.

Juan A. Ramirez, 25, had a DUI warrant and was booked on a new charge of possession of a controlled substance, said Reagan. Driver Nemecio Gomez Becerra, 21, was arrested for a suspended license and booked on a new charge of possession of a controlled substance.

A deputy witnessed a driver who failed to signal a lane change and pulled him over, Reagan said. Ramirez and Becerra were arrested during that stop.

Fleeing suspect booked on theft charges

A Spokane man who attempted to flee a sheriff’s deputy’s capture ended up in a snow bank and with more than two dozen felonies.

The man told deputies he fled because he was scared. Reagan said detectives think he fled because the man knew he was wanted for multiple counts of fraud, unlawful possession of payment instruments, two counts of second-degree identity theft and one-count second-degree theft. He also was booked into jail on attempt to elude a police vehicle, unlawful possession of personal identification and third-degree driving while suspended.

Gregory P. Kroetch, 41, drew a deputy’s attention Sunday when he sped off in the opposite direction of a patrol car, Reagan said. The deputy followed Kroetch into a Home Depot parking lot where the suspect stopped briefly, but then sped off again.

The pursuit lasted six to seven minutes and reached speeds of up 60 mph on busy county roads, Reagan said. At one point, the suspect drove directly at the deputy’s car.

After Kroetch crashed into a light pole next to a snow bank, the deputy arrested him, Reagan said. In addition to being wanted on the other charges, Kroetch had a warrant for escape from community custody.