Spokane County Sheriff's Office: Alert Citizen Helps Deputies Ca - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE SPOKANE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE: On February 27th, just after 2:30 p.m., a citizen witnessed a suspect break the window of a vehicle, grab a tan purse from inside and leave in a maroon and tan convertible driven by another male. 

The citizen called Crime Check a few minutes later and reported the theft and provided a description of the suspect's vehicle to include a partial license plate. Just before 3:00 p.m. a 911 call was received from an employee at Taco Bell located at 12226 N. Division. 

The employee reported two subjects in the drive-thru were acting very suspicious and as they paid for their food; they appeared to be trying to hide their faces. The description of the suspicious vehicle matched the suspect vehicle reported during the theft a few minutes prior. 

Spokane County Sheriff's Office Deputy J. Reed and Deputy T. Liljenberg responded, located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the area of Standard and Hastings. The driver was identified as 46-year-old Mark A. Kingsland and the passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was identified as 36-year-old Christopher D. Sheldon. 

During the traffic stop, the deputies observed a tan purse sitting in the backseat area of the vehicle. Deputy Reed spoke with Kingsland, informed him they were investigating a vehicle prowling and asked him about the purse. 

Kingsland acted surprised and stated he didn't know anything about the purse nor was he involved in the prowling. Deputy Liljenberg spoke to Sheldon. 

He was evasive and nervous during the questioning and did not admit being involved with the vehicle prowling. Kingsland gave consent to search the vehicle and the deputies located the purse taken during the vehicle prowling in addition to items belonging to a second victim. They also contacted the employee at Taco Bell and confirmed one of the stolen credit cards was used to purchase food.  

Kingsland and Sheldon were transported and booked in the Spokane County Jail for felony charges of Theft 2nd Degree-Credit Card (7 counts) and Forgery. Sheldon was also charged with an additional felony of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree. Both were also charged with misdemeanors of Vehicle Prowling 2nd Degree and Theft 3rd Degree.

This incident is a great example of the Sheriff's Office working in partnership with citizens to find and arrest suspects who commit crimes in our community.