Police Department

Alert citizen helps catch a burglar

Ofc. Teresa Fuller

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 1 p.m.

Incident Number: 13-289753

With help from an alert citizen who called 911 and information from the Spokane Police Department's Crime Analysis Unit, Spokane Police officers arrested 45 year old Paul J Reinhart last night for 2nd Degree Burglary and 2nd Degree Malicious Mischief.

Using information from SPD Crime Analysts, patrol officers had been focusing on a specific area in downtown Spokane. While working patrol in that area, officers were called to the Banner Bank in the 500 block of west 3rd Ave. On the report of a possible burglary in progress called in by a citizen just after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night. The witness had seen the suspect break the glass on the front door and enter the building. The witness was also able to provide a thorough description of the suspect.

When officers arrived, they discovered the broken front door and set up a perimeter around the building. Numerous announcements were made to call Reinhart out of the building but he failed to come out. A K9 was called in and assisted in his apprehension. He was treated for minor injuries and booked into jail.

This crime spotted by an alert citizen is an example of the effective and efficient communication between SPD's officers and crime analysts and SPD's work to quickly follow up on citizen reports of crimes. If you witness a crime in progress please call 911. If you are reporting a previously occurring crime, call Crime Check, 509.456.2233 or report online.

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