In brief: Four soldiers killed in helicopter crash

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – A Joint Base Lewis- McChord spokesman says two helicopters have crashed on the base, killing four soldiers and injuring two.

Lt. Col. Gary Dangerfield told the Seattle Times the aircraft crashed Monday night in the aviation training area of the base near Tacoma, Wash. He said the crash involved two OH-58 Kiowa choppers.

Car left to warm up taken outside home

Spokane police are reminding motorists not to leave their running cars unattended after a vehicle was stolen early Monday.

The victim said the car was left warming up in front of a home in the 1500 block of West Carlisle Avenue when it was stolen about 6:30 a.m.

An officer spotted the vehicle in the Shadle Park Wal-Mart parking lot about 20 minutes later and arrested Dustin Richard Burrows, 31, on a charge of possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

Police say running vehicles left unattended on the street can garner a fine of $124. They also are frequently stolen.

“Car thieves are most active in the early mornings, especially when cars are warming up,” said Officer Ryan Snider in a news release.

Police, others help replace stolen gifts

The Spokane Police Guild will donate $500 to the Wishing Star Foundation after burglaries left sick children without Christmas presents.

The donation is one of many the nonprofit organization has accepted since it was reported last week that $1,000 in items were stolen in two burglaries from its office at 139 S. Sherman St.

Certified Security Systems of Spokane Valley is donating a security system, and cash donations have enabled the organization to replace all lost items and then some, said Paula Nordgaarden, Wishing Star’s executive director.

“Our community is so wonderful,” Nordgaarden said. “This outpouring, it was overwhelming.”

Nordgaarden said all families on the organization’s waiting list will be taken care of this Christmas, and she expects to have about $15,000 left for next year.

Shoplifter attacks guard with hatchet

LONGVIEW, Wash. – Police in Longview, Wash., say a shoplifter with a hatchet sliced off most of a store security guard’s ear.

The shoplifter pulled a small hatchet out of his waistband Monday afternoon and swung, chopping off nearly the entire ear, Sgt. Doug Kazensky told the Daily News.

The guard was taken to a Portland hospital for emergency plastic surgery.

The assault took place just outside the garden center entrance of a Fred Meyer store. Kazensky said two security officers were trying to contact the man, who was suspected of taking CDs, bike chains and other small items.