Police Department

SPD Captures Burglary Suspect with Help from New County K9 Team

Cpl. Teresa Fuller

Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at 5:23 p.m.

Spokane Police Patrol Officers responding to a residential burglary where a rifle was taken, took the suspect, Zachary D. Smith (37) into custody with help from the newly minted Spokane County K9 Team, Deputy Clay Hilton and K9 Bane. Smith was found in a back yard less than a block away, hiding under a barbeque cover, laying on top of the rifle.

This morning, just after 4:00am, Spokane Police Patrol Officers responded to a residential burglary in progress in the 4700 block of north Normandie. It was reported the home owner awoke to find things misplaced in a bedroom, including a now empty rifle case, and saw the suspect as he fled out the back yard. Officers were on scene within 4 minutes, set up a perimeter, and requested help from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office who still had a K9 team working at that hour. Dept. Hilton and K9 Bane responded and started tracking the suspect.

Officers assisting with the track spotted a backpack that appeared to be dumped in a back yard less than a block from the victim residence. K9 Bane then found Smith hiding under a barbeque cover in that same yard. Bane contacted the suspect and was able to help officers safely take him into custody even though he was laying on top of the rifle, immediately accessible to Smith. The victim’s backpack was found nearby in the same yard, full of other belonging from his home.

Smith was booked for 1st Degree Burglary, 3 counts of 2nd Degree Theft, Theft of a Firearm, and Possession of a Controlled Substance (Heroin). He will be in first appearance tomorrow at 1:30pm.

The Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office continue to work hand in hand to combat violent crime in our area. We greatly appreciate the assistance from Dep. Hilton and his K9 partner Bane and congratulate them on their first capture!

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