Stolen gifts returned – suspects arrested

A Spokane Valley grandmother was nearly robbed of giving her five grandchildren a happy Christmas, but thieves’ actions were foiled by authorities.

Detectives arrested Amber and Nick Gardner, a brother and sister, on burglary charges Wednesday for allegedly stealing toys from the woman, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, a spokesman for Spokane Valley police and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The duo was apparently caught after they returned some of the stolen items to Toys ’R’ Us.

Some toys were found in Amber Gardner’s apartment, but some could not be recovered, officials said.

Investigators who worked the case felt strongly about the burglary not spoiling the family’s Christmas, and presented the victim with a check for $200 from the Spokane County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association to repurchase some of the gifts, Reagan said.

Residents confront prowler

A prowler entered two Spokane Valley apartments through unlocked doors early Wednesday and was confronted by female residents both times. Officers are urging residents in the area to secure their homes and apartments before retiring for the night, spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

At 4:20 a.m., a distraught woman in the 2100 block of North Houk Road called 911 to report that a man had entered through her unlocked rear slider. She said she had left the door unlocked for her boyfriend who got off work later in the morning.

The woman heard a noise, got up to investigate and saw the suspect standing in her kitchen. He was wearing blue jeans and no shirt. When she screamed, the intruder ran back out the slider and westbound from the apartment building.

As Officer Brian Moen was in the area looking for the suspect, he received a second prowler complaint in the same block of North Houk. The female complainant said she had left her slider unlocked for a boyfriend as well.

She awoke to an unfamiliar sound and felt a tug on her blankets. She looked up and saw the suspect wearing a dark sweatshirt and blue jeans. When she screamed, the suspect ran back out of the apartment through the slider.

The woman’s boyfriend had arrived, and he armed himself with a golf club and chased the prowler who escaped. The suspect was last seen running southbound from the complex.

Motorists cited for illegal turn

Since mid-October, Spokane Valley Police have issued about 125 infractions to motorists who continue to make a prohibited left turn from northbound Argonne to westbound Indiana on weekdays, said spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Since early this year, more than three dozen collisions have occurred as motorists turning west onto Indiana attempt to squeeze between two lanes of stopped southbound traffic on Argonne and then are nailed by a driver in the far right southbound lane.

Because motorists can make a free right turn onto the freeway, a red light there does not back up traffic in that one lane.

To reduce the risk of crashes, the intersection was posted “No Left Turns on Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.” During those hours, motorists should continue north to Knox, turn left at the light and then circle around to businesses on Indiana west of Argonne Road.

However, motorists are continuing to attempt the prohibited turn, and are paying a $124 penalty when spotted by police. The fine is even higher if the turn causes a collision.

Although officers are not posted at the intersection to watch for violations, they have been instructed to keep an eye on the high-collision intersection when they are passing through. They have been encouraged to cite motorists when appropriate.