Police arrest four people suspected in South Hill Grill robbery

A group of people suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of inventory and equipment from South Hill Grill last week were arrested Tuesday.

Chelsea Struck, the restaurant’s owner, told KHQ the burglars “pretty much cleaned us out.”

The burglary happened on the night of April 15, but management didn’t discover the missing product until days later because there was less activity at the restaurant due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When the burglary was reported, police reviewed hours of surveillance footage, Sgt. Terry Preuninger said.

The footage showed suspects returning to the restaurant multiple times, Preuninger said. An estimated $20,000 of beer, wine, liquor and kegs, along with a pressure washer and shop vacuum, were stolen.

“It was pretty bold,” Preuninger said.

Jose Moreno, 28, was charged with second degree commercial burglary and first degree theft.

When Spokane Police Officers executed a search warrant on Moreno’s home, they found controlled substances and charged him with three counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Moreno was also charged with first-degree possession of stolen property for an unrelated incident.

His brother, Luis Moreno, 29, was charged with second degree commercial burglary, first-degree theft and possession of controlled substances.

Scott Porter, 35, was charged with second-degree commercial burglary and first-degree theft.

Ashlee Devera, 22, was also charged with second-degree commercial burglary and first-degree theft.

Commercial burglaries have risen recently, with 54 in the last month, Preuninger said.

Local businesses, including Soulful Soups and Lowes, donated food and replacement equipment to South Hill Grill, KHQ reported.