A few thoughts on recent thefts

By ROGER GREGORY

Contributing Writer

Everybody has seen the “smash and grab thefts” in California, but thefts and shoplifting is increasing all over the Untied States, even locally.

On Feb. 3, of this year at Priest River Ace Hardware, we had a case that amounted to get and dash.

Two customers had come in with full facemasks, one was going to purchase a Carhartt coat and some hardware items. Instead of going to the cash register to pay for the items, he actually just ran out of the store with the merchandise. Outside was his get away car, with the door open and the engine running. Ace personnel chased him, but he got in the car, and the car sped off toward Newport. The license plate was 7B, but the numbers had been “mudded over”, so they couldn’t get the number.

However the driver of the car was recognized. This has been turned over to Priest River Police. They are currently working with the Bonner County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to get an arrest warrant for the driver, as an accessory to a crime. They know his name, but he doesn’t live in Idaho and Idaho police can’t go into Washington. As of this writing, I don’t know why the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office can’t go after the guy.

We had another case of a shoplifter having stolen an item and he had been watched on camera. When approached by the store manager, he said he didn’t have anything, opened his coat to show a big knife, which was threatening.The fact was, he had the item on the other side of his coat.

Police were called and he was sent to jail, and because of displaying the knife in a threatening manner, I understand, he was charged with armed robbery. In closing, thanks to Drew McClain’s Priest River Police. They take action and do things unlike some places where about nothing is done.

Another note, in New York City, shoplifting is so bad, many stores are locking up everything, even toothpaste.