In brief: Washington man charged in teen’s rape

A 32-year-old Washington man is being held without bail on charges he kidnapped and raped a Plummer, Idaho, teen.

Because the victim was a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the crime occurred on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, Patrick H. Stiller is being prosecuted in federal court.

The teen told investigators she was walking on the side of Highway 95 on Sept. 28 when Stiller pulled her into his truck, took her to a nearby location and raped her. He then turned her loose, the girl said.

Stiller turned himself in to FBI agents in Colfax on Tuesday.

He has waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Punishment for the crime includes a maximum penalty of life in prison or the death penalty.

– Taryn Hecker

Spokane

Mielke sued over 2004 collision

Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke is being sued over an October 2004 traffic collision in which he was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

Colbert resident Daniel B. Welp’s lawsuit, filed last week in Superior Court, doesn’t name the county because Mielke hadn’t yet taken office.

Police reports indicate Mielke was northbound on Crestline shortly after noon when he attempted a left turn onto Lincoln Road and collided with Welp’s southbound vehicle. Welp’s 1993 Ford Tempo was demolished, but Mielke’s 1998 Ford Explorer was relatively unscathed.

“It’s unfortunate this issue isn’t resolved by now,” Mielke said. “It’s the reason we all have insurance.”

Actually, Welp had to pay a $200 fine because he didn’t have insurance.

“I had no idea,” said Mielke, who was fined $153.

– John Craig

Garages hit by car, owner arrested

Two North Side residents woke up Friday morning to a car crashing into the garage of a neighboring house, just feet from their bedroom.

The driver already had hit a garage at a nearby apartment complex. He and his passenger ran off, but police said they later located the driver.

“Angels were watching us,” said Edeltraud Smith.

Smith and her husband, Bob, were asleep at 4:30 a.m. when the 1998 Ford LTD hit the apartment garage and then rammed into the garage next door to their house.

Bob Smith said the driver tried to back out to get away but got stuck in soft, wet soil.

The house at Maxine Avenue and Standard Street – next door to the Smiths’ – is for sale, and Bob Smith said the current owner has been fixing it up.

The car’s owner later called police to report that it had been stolen, but after interviewing him, police say they had reason to believe he drove the car. They arrested 19-year-old Jeremy F. Snider on suspicion of misdemeanor hit-and-run.

Police never believed the car was stolen, said Spokane police Officer Glenn Bartlett.

“The ignition wasn’t punched, and the keys were gone because the driver took them,” Bartlett said.

To see a video of the crash site, go to spokesmanreview.com.

– Amy Cannata