Police Department

Spokane Police Arrest 12-Time Convicted Felon After Witnesses Provide Excellent Suspect Description

Monique Cotton, Public Information & Communication Director, 509.363.8285

Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 3:19 p.m.

Spokane Police arrest a Burglary and Vehicle Theft suspect with prolific local criminal history (12 felony convictions); Through investigation, officers have connected the suspect to several other recent burglaries, burglary attempts and taking of a motor vehicle without permission. Lelbert L. Williams (42) was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of: 2nd Degree Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission, Residential Burglary, 2nd Degree Attempted Burglary (X2), and 2nd Degree Burglary.

This morning, just after 8 a.m., Spokane Police responded to a report of a suspicious person near the 3200 block of W. Trinity. The caller indicated a male was walking through backyards and trying to open vehicle doors. SPD officers responded to the scene less than two minutes after the initial call, however witnesses had lost sight of the male. Officers remained at the scene, searched for the suspect in the area and spoke with witnesses to obtain more information. Witnesses were able to give an excellent suspect description to officers and described the individual as a black male, 30-40 years old, wearing a gray sweatshirt with green trim. Officers left the scene with the information provided by witnesses and approximately 15 minutes later received another call from a caller few blocks away, stating that the suspect had been spotted again. Officers quickly responded to the reported location, near the 1200 block of F Street where the suspect was said to be climbing over a fence. The suspect ran as officers attempted to contact him. He was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Lelbert L. Williams.

Through follow-up investigation, officers were able to connect Williams with several other recent burglaries, burglary attempts and taking of a motor vehicle without permission. Williams was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the following charges: 2nd Degree Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission, Residential Burglary, 2nd Degree Attempted Burglary (X2), and 2nd Degree Burglary.

Williams is a 12-time convicted felon with previous felony convictions including Theft, Forgery, Robbery, Assault, and Unlawful Imprisonment.

Witnesses were extremely helpful in this incident because they provided a good suspect description and maintained good contact with police, alerting officers to the suspect’s location. If you witness suspicious activity or a crime in progress, please call 911 immediately.

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