Spokane Valley deputy nabs suspected car prowler despite breaking kneecap

The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy broke his kneecap while chasing a suspected car prowler early Sunday in Spokane Valley.

Deputy Andrew Richmond and Travis West tried to stop three males – a 19-year-old and two juveniles – at about 2 a.m. near North Pines Middle School after a reported car prowling in the area, according to a news release.

When the suspects ran, Richmond chased and arrested one juvenile, fracturing a kneecap in the process. He remains on medical leave and may require surgery, the news release said.

West arrested the other two suspects, including the 19-year-old, Sinjin L. Triplett. The names of the minors weren’t released.

Triplett had a cellphone belonging to the victim and was charged with obstructing an officer. Other items from the car, including headphones and a charging cord, were found in a backpack that one of the juveniles was carrying. The other boy was wanted on a third-degree theft warrant.