Burglary Suspects’ Footprints Lead Deputies to Their Location
Yesterday, Deputies followed the suspects’ footprints in the fresh snow to an apartment with the two burglary suspects inside. The suspects were contacted and after the investigation, they were arrested for felony Burglary, Theft, and Malicious Mischief charges. Subsequently, one of the suspects was also identified as the suspect who committed a similar burglary on January 22, 2021, at the same location.
On January 26, 2021, at approximately 2:50 am., Spokane County Deputies responded to a reported burglary at the Exxon Gas Station located at 9914 N. Waikiki Road.
The caller reported seeing two people climbing out of the gas station windows. Just prior to the Deputies’ arrival, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) dispatchers were alerted to a commercial alarm at the location.
Deputies found both front glass doors smashed in by large concrete bricks. Inside the gas station, a significant quantity of cigarettes appeared to be missing.
Deputy Brent Miller and Deputy Matthew Peterson began tracking two unique sets of shoeprints in the snow, which led up to and away from the storefront. The prints went east on Hawthorne and across Division, where they were joined by K9 Deputy Phil Pfeifer and his partner K9 Apache. They continued their track south on Colfax to an apartment complex on Graves. The prints led directly to the porch and apartment’s front door.
Deputies observed several subjects in the apartment with a pile of what appeared to be new cigarettes.
Deputies contacted the resident, 19-year-old Ethan A. Carolus, and a second male, 23-year-old Skylar R. Stratton. As they continued to interview the pair, Deputies developed probable cause based on statements and evidence that Carolus and Stratton committed the burglary, and both were arrested. A third person inside the apartment was determined not to be involved and was not charged.
During the burglary, over $1,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen and recovered. It was estimated the duo caused approximately $1,200 worth of damage to the business.
Both Carolus and Stratton were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 2nd Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, and Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree.
As the investigation continued, Deputy Miller learned the same business had been victimized on January 22, 2021, during a very similar burglary. Deputy Miller identified Carolus as the suspect in that burglary as well. Deputy Miller added additional charges of Burglary 2nd Degree, Theft 2nd Degree, and Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree to Carolus’ booking paperwork for this incident.
