Police Department

Vehicle Trespass Arrest

Sgt. Terry Preuninger, PIO

Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 2:10 p.m.

Suspect arrested for 11 counts of Vehicle Trespass.

On August 30^th, 2020 around 2:00AM SPD Officers responded to the area of W 7th Ave and S. Division St for report of a vehicle prowler. Call notes stated the complainant was with Sacred Heart Security, who had a vehicle prowler in custody and that a Taser had been deployed.

SPD Officers were in the area on a mission focused patrol, when they arrived on scene the security guard had the suspect, Michael Atchison (26) and another male, in handcuffs.  Michael was wearing a black hat, black shirt, shorts, and dark shoes.  The second male was found to not be involved in the prowling incidents and was released.

The Security guard told SPD he responded to a vehicle prowling call in a parking lot near W 8th Ave and S McLellan St. Upon viewing security footage he observed Atchison wearing shorts, a black shirt, dark shoes, and a dark hat breaking into vehicles. He then received a call the same male was in a nearby parking garage and that security was actively watching him break into vehicles. Security searched the area and located Atchison in Cowley Park wearing the same clothing as the suspect in the security footage. Atchison threw something on the ground and then attempted to flee.  The security guard applied a Taser and Atchison became compliant. 

When SPD arrived they discovered where the stolen loot from the vehicle prowling’s was hidden.   The stolen items consisted of multiple backpacks and multiple electronic devices such as cell phones and handheld gaming devices. SPD also observed a large knife on the ground and a firearm sitting on a mattress. Further inspection revealed the firearm was a BB gun that strongly resembled an actual firearm.

After viewing security footage of the vehicle prowling incidents, SPD found multiple cars with the same damage.  Each vehicle had damaged windows and some sort of pry mark/dent near the doors. The pry mark/dent was the same on all the vehicles, and with a few exceptions, was near the top of the vehicles doors.

Atchison was placed under arrest for 11 counts of Vehicle Prowling 2nd degree and one count of Malicious Mischief 1st degree.

Atchison was transported and booked into Spokane County Jail.

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