Sergeant Interrupts Burglary as he was Getting Off Duty for the Night

Ofc. Teresa Fuller


Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 11:11 a.m.


Spokane Police Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT) Sergeant Brian Eckersley interrupted a burglary in progress as he was getting off duty early this morning. After a lengthy K9 track to find the suspect(s), repeat offender Jason W. Gilmore (46) was located and taken into custody. Gilmore was booked into jail for Residential Burglary, Attempting to Elude Police, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine, and an unrelated felony Department of Corrections (DOC) warrant. Steven G. Kittelson (45) was also taken into custody and booked for Residential Burglary and several unrelated misdemeanor warrants.

This morning, Dec. 31st, 2015, just after 3:00am, Sgt. Eckersley observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of Five Mile Rd. and Jillian as he was getting off duty. The vehicle’s occupants appeared to be gathering items from a residence when he noticed them. Sgt. Eckersley attempted to stop the vehicle which immediately fled. Spokane Police Patrol officers quickly responded and set up to observe any escape routes off the prairie. A short while later the vehicle was discovered abandoned at Austin Rd/Qualmish. 

After a lengthy K9 track officers located Jason W. Gilmore. Gilmore has an extensive local history and is listed as a Repeat Offender (ROP) with 13 previous felony convictions. The tread on the shoes he was wearing matched those found at the scene of the burglary. He was booked for the above charges. 

As another officer was leaving the area, he spotted Kittelson walking, covered in snow from head to toe. This was unusual as it was not snowing at the time. That officer had taken pictures at the scene of footprints in the snow and upon examination of the soles of Kittelson’s boots, determined they match footprints from the burglary. Kittelson was taken into custody and booked on the above charges.

Both Gilmore and Kittelson will appear in court today at 1:30.



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