KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Police arrive to find burglary suspect tied up on Main Street

Police arrive to find burglary suspect tied up on Main Street

LACROSSE, Wash. - Whitman County Deputies responded to the call of a "captured" burglar Friday night.  When deputies arrived on scene they found 25-year-old Sean A Lee of Lewiston, Idaho bound with zip-ties and rope, lying in the middle of the main street in downtown La Crosse.

Officials say according to witness information, Lee contacted Larry Garrett at his residence in the 200 block of Main St. around 6 p.m. Friday.  Initially Lee told Garrett he was out of gas and asked if he could lend him some or give him money for fuel.  Garrett agreed to assist Lee in obtaining some fuel and left him unattended at his home for a short time while he obtained some fuel in a gas can, rather than giving Lee cash.

After giving Lee the fuel, Garrett said he noticed his wallet was missing from inside his house.  At the same time Garrett's girlfriend noticed his wallet was in Lee's front pants pocket.  When confronted Lee immediately tried to flee the scene at which time a scuffle broke out.  Lee managed to get to his vehicle a 1993 Chevy Blazer, and attempted to leave. In the process of the scuffle, Lee pulled a knife on Garret, his brother and others who were also present at the residence.

Lee was pulled form his vehicle during the scuffle and wrestle to the ground where he was tied up with zip-ties and rope until 911 operators where contacted.

A short time after arriving on scene and obtaining information from witnesses deputies placed Lee under arrest.  Lee was booked into the Whitman County Jail on charges of 1st degree robbery, residential burglar and theft in the 3rd degree.  According to the Sheriff's Office, Lee later admitted to investigating officers that he did take Garrett's wallet and it was a "stupid thing to do".

The arresting officer, Deputy Keith Cooper commented "We don't encourage citizens to confront armed suspects in situations like this, but I have to say, Lee picked the wrong gentlemen to mess with tonight. I find it a bit refreshing when our criminals are already under arrest and cuffed up for us when we arrive.  Or job in law enforcement is much easier when all we have to do is show up and provide the bad guys a ride to jail.