Spokane Police Break Up Theft Ring; Recovers Thousands In Stolen - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

Spokane Police Break Up Theft Ring; Recovers Thousands In Stolen Items

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PRESS RELESAE FROM THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPT: Spokane Police Detectives thorough investigation of a drive by shooting incident occurring in March, led to the arrest of three people this week on a multitude of property crime charges. 

Karissa M. Minoia (19), Thomas J. Jones (21) and a 17 year old juvenile male face charges including Residential Burglary, 1st Degree Theft, 1st Degree Possession of Stolen Property, 1st Degree Trafficking in Stolen Property, Unlawful Possession of Financial Instruments, Malicious Mischief, and Vehicle Prowling. Detectives believe the suspects were burglarizing homes and prowling vehicles to steal items to support a drug habit.

Background: On March 26, 2012, Spokane Police Patrol officers investigated a drive by shooting at 500 W. Maxine. During their investigation, officers interviewed the juvenile male, Karissa Minoia and Thomas Jones inside Minoia's residence at 202 E. Wedgewood. Inside the apartment, officers found a stolen firearm, jewelry, methamphetamine and other evidence of burglaries and stolen items. The juvenile was arrested for 1st Degree Attempted Murder (the drive by shooting at W. Maxine). Minoia, was interviewed about the stolen items.

For the next several months, detectives worked to recover stolen property and identify the owners of such property. Detectives discovered the juvenile male and Jones had been on a significant vehicle prowling spree on March 15-16, 2012. Detectives recovered a garage door opener that had been stolen in a vehicle prowl, which had a home address label on it. The victim of the vehicle prowl also had their garage burglarized.

Nearly a dozen reported incidents have been solved due to SPD Detectives diligent investigation of this burglary and theft operation. Additionally, thousands of dollars' worth of stolen property has been recovered and returned to the rightful owners.