Valley car theft probe results in drug arrests

Authorities arrested five people on drug charges Monday after searching a Spokane Valley house for evidence of auto theft and a chop shop.

Detectives discovered about a half-dozen cars, including one that was partially disassembled, said Sgt. Dave Bolton, who supervises the Washington State Patrol’s auto theft unit. Evidence of identity theft may also have been found.

WSP detectives searched the home at 12326 E. Valleyway just after 10 a.m. Monday.

The search warrant stemmed from information received after police stopped a man for driving a suspected stolen car, officials said. The man told authorities he had purchased the car for $500 from someone at the Valleyway address, according to documents related to the search.

David James Wood, 18; Glen Anthony Gendron, 44; Michael P. Williams, 37; and two others were arrested on suspicion of drug possession, Bolton said.