Burglars Caught in the Act Thanks to Alert Citizens
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, with the assistance of a Spokane Police Department K9 Team, located and arrested two residential burglary suspects. One suspect was captured as she tried to flee in a vehicle, and the second suspect, who fled on foot, was arrested without incident with the assistance of the SPD K9 Team.
On July 8, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a burglary in progress at a residence in the 6000 block of W. Garden Springs Road in west Spokane County. An alert citizen reported seeing an unknown male and female enter the home unlawfully and called 911.
Arriving Deputies observed the male, later identified as 48-year-old Brian J. King and the female, later identified as 48-year-old Tawny M. Youngman (Rhodes), carrying items from the residence to a silver Ford Taurus.
As additional Deputies arrived, Youngman got in the driver’s seat of the vehicle, preparing to leave. Due to the vegetation in the area, it was unknown if King got into the car.
As Youngman started to drive toward the road, Deputy Mina blocked the driveway to stop her escape. She was detained, but King was not in the vehicle.
Knowing King fled on foot, a perimeter was quickly established, and a K9 Unit was requested. Spokane Police Officer Buchmann and his K9 partner Trace responded to the scene to assist. Two citizens who observed the incident told Deputies King ran southbound through dense brush, which led to a semi-truck/trailer storage area, providing numerous places to hide.
Multiple K9 announcements were given, informing King to surrender, went unanswered. K9 Trace led SPD Officer Buchmann and Deputy Loos to the storage area. With little ambient light, K9 Trace continued working fresh human scent to the back of one trailer.
The latch on the trailer was not secure, and the fabric pull strap was partially tucked under the roll-up door. Multiple attempts were made to open the door, but it seemed someone, or something, was holding it closed.
Officer Buchmann pounded on the trailer, announced his presence, and challenged anyone inside to come out. After a few seconds, King yelled from inside the trailer that he was coming out, but the door was stuck.
Multiple use of force warnings were given to King, who finally opened the door. King followed Deputy Loos’ commands and was taken into custody without K9 contact or any use of force.
Youngman was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Residential Burglary. After a search warrant was obtained for her vehicle, a stolen Amazon Echo speaker still in the box was located in the trunk next to a purse that contained Youngman’s ID. Youngman was charged with Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, a misdemeanor.
King was provided medical treatment unrelated to this incident. After he was cleared, he was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Residential Burglary.
We want to thank Spokane Police Officer Buchmann and his K9 partner Trace for their quick response and assistance in locating King. This is just another example of the law enforcement agencies working together sharing valuable resources, to find and hold individuals accountable who try and prey on our community.
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