In brief: Suspected burglar says pants aren’t his

A suspected burglar caught with methamphetamine in his pocket said the pants didn’t belong to him, police say.

Walter W. Young, 32, is suspected of burglarizing a Spokane Valley game store of more than $15,000 worth of equipment late Monday or early Tuesday with Coda Archuleta, 25.

Young was arrested in an unrelated burglary after a homeowner in the 1600 block of North Flora Road called police about 7 p.m. and said his wife saw a man in their vehicle parked in the garage.

Young told police he is living on the streets and entered the garage to get food and extra clothing to stay warm. Officers found receipts and other property belonging to the victims on Young, police said. Police also found a glass marijuana pipe and a bag of suspected methamphetamine with Young.

Police say Young told the officer the pants he was wearing weren’t his. First he said he found the pants, and later he said he was given the pants by a local charitable organization.

Meanwhile, detectives had identified Young as a suspect in the burglary at Game On in the 11800 block of East First Avenue. The SWAT team helped execute a search warrant at an apartment in the 10100 block of East Main Avenue in Spokane Valley, where they found weapons as well as the majority of items stolen in the Game On burglary.

Thursday’s snow beats 1990 record

Spokane set a daily record for snowfall on Thursday, with 2.5 inches measured after midnight. The previous record of 1.8 inches dates back to 1990.

So far this season, Spokane has had 35.7 inches of snow, which is 7.2 inches below normal through Thursday. March has seen 5.5 inches of snow.

March has helped make up for a dry period late last year with 2.69 inches of precipitation – rain and melted snow – so far this month. Spokane’s season total for precipitation is now at 10.05 inches, which is just 0.4 inches below normal since Oct. 1.

Precipitation this month is 1.54 inches above normal.