SPD Press Release: arrests made in cell phone thefts
Spokane Police Department Patrol Anti Crime Team (PACT) members arrested a husband and wife for 1st degree trafficking in stolen property. The incident started on 022812, at 1:20 in the afternoon in the 5800 block of N. Division. 20-year-old Vladimir Stepanov and his 22 year old wife, Yuliya Stepanov asked the victim if they could borrow their phone. The Stepanov’s kept the phone and fled the area in a black 2009 Ford Focus. A District 81 Security Officer heard the broadcast and was aware of similar incidents involving that type of vehicle near local schools. He provided a license plate number and PACT members found them driving in the area of Wellesley/Nevada at 3:00 PM. Through the investigation, it was determined that Vladimir and Yuliya had stolen numerous phones in the same manner and have been responding to Craigslist adds to sell them.
The Spokane Police Department and District 81 security are working together to put related cases together. We are asking anyone who has been the victim or witness to this type of crime to call Crime Check at 456-2233 with any information you might have. Vladimir and Yuliya were both booked into jail for 1st degree trafficking in stolen property and theft.
See previous Campo post: http://blogs.gonzaga.edu/campo/2012/05/07/gonzaga-student-reports-cell-phone-theft-north-of-campus-late-friday/