Weekend recap 4/4 to 4/7

Sgt. Lydia Taylor, 509.481.8565


Monday, April 7, 2014 at 10:49 a.m.


  • Suspect brandishes 18 inch rebar and assaults officer several times; 22-year-old Benjamin Oien arrested for 3rd Degree Assault of a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Controlled Substance and 2nd Degree Trespassing
    On 04-03-14 around 5:30 p.m. a Spokane Police Neighborhood Conditions Officer (NCO) observed a male trespassing on loading dock in the area of 100 W. Pacific. The owner of the business has concerns regarding people trespassing on the property and has asked Spokane Police to arrest anyone found trespassing. The NCO contacted the male, later identified as 22-year-old Benjamin Oien, who immediately became confrontational. Oien retrieved a piece of 18" rebar from his backpack and threatened to assault the officer with it. He eventually put the metal down, however, when the officer attempted to take him into custody, Oien elbowed him in the head and ribs several times. He continued to attempt to spit on officers even after he was handcuffed. Drugs were found in his possession during the arrest. Oien was booked for 3rd Degree Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Controlled Substance and 2nd Degree Trespassing.
  • Police find vehicle theft suspect in vehicle with shaved keys; 35-year-old Arthur Cardenas arrested for Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Vehicle Theft Tools and Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine
    On 04-05-14 around 9 p.m. Spokane Police responded to the area of 300 W. 5th on a report of a possible vehicle prowler. A 911 caller advised a male with a flashlight was inside a vehicle “doing something to the ignition”. Police contacted the male, later identified as 35-year-old Arthur Cardenas. Cardenas has shaved keys in his possession and had damaged the steering column on the vehicle while allegedly attempting to steal it. Officers also found a locked box in his possession. Officers wrote and executed a search warrant for the box and located methamphetamine inside. Cardenas was booked for Attempted Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of Vehicle Theft Tools and Possession of Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.
  • Two arrested for copper-wire theft after neighbor reports suspicious activity; 22-year-old Joshua Barber and 24-year-old Ryan Patchen arrested for 3rd Degree Theft
    On 04-06-14 around 10 a.m. Spokane Police responded to the area of 5000 N. Regal reference a suspicious person call. A neighbor called in stating two males appeared to be attempting to steal copper wire from a vacant residence. Police quickly responded and located the two suspects several blocks away. They had a bag of cut copper wire in their possession. Police arrested 22-year-old Joshua Barber for 3rd Degree Theft. 24-year-old Ryan Patchen was also booked into jail for 3rd Degree Theft and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, after police found brass knuckles on his person during the arrest.
  • Distinctive rental equipment stolen in S. Spokane burglary
    On 04-06-14 around 10:30 a.m. Spokane Police responded to a commercial burglary report at 5019 S. Palouse, Sun Rental Equipment. Two distinct pieces of equipment were taken from a fenced area during the night, two Wacker WP-1550 vibratory plate compactors. The items weigh 200 lbs., are yellow in color and engraved with “Sun Rental 08-400-45 #4”.
  • Spokane Police locate i-Phone thief; arrest 23 year-old Brandon Hall for 3rd Degree Possession of Stolen Property and 3rd Degree Driving With License Suspended
    On 4-6-14 around 5:30 p.m. Spokane Police received a report of a stolen i-Phone in the Riverfront Park gondola area. The victim had left his phone on a seat while riding the gondola. The phone was gone when he returned to retrieve it. The victim called police and tracked the phone through Apple's “Find my Phone” feature. Police responded, located and stopped a vehicle where the phone app was indicating the phone was located. Upon contacting the driver in the traffic stop, officers observed the phone on the front seat of the vehicle. Police arrested 33-year-old Brandon Hall for 3rd Possession of Stolen Property and 3rd Degree Driving While License Suspended.


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Media Relations Contact

Cpl. Nick Briggs
509.835.4568
nbriggs@spokanepolice.org