Police Department

SPD Investigating Numerous Burglaries near Gonzaga University's Campus

Ofc. John O'Brien, PIO

Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 1:13 p.m.

The Spokane Police Department’s Patrol Anti-Crime Team is investigating numerous burglaries in the Gonzaga University area. Several off-campus student residences were broken into and property stolen while they were gone on winter break.

Over the winter break for Gonzaga University, several off-campus student residences were burglarized. The suspects targeted locations where mail was built up and snow had not removed from the walks. Entry doors were forced open along with individually locked bedroom doors. Many of the homes were ransacked.

#2020-20219748 December 22, 2020 reported around 10:30 p.m. in the area of 500 E. Indiana Avenue. An unknown subject kicked open the entry door and was chased from the residence by a tenant. A K9 track did not locate the suspect.

#2020-20222238 December 28, 2020 around 2:55 am. in the area of 1300 N. Columbus Street. At least two suspects broke into the location. One of the tenants had returned from winter break and was awakened by the sound of the forced entry. She hid under her bed and texted her mom who called 911. The victim was frightened the suspects would have heard her call 911 so she reached out for help by texting. She reported the suspects were in her house for 15-20 minutes.

An officer arriving on scene, or possibly something else, appeared to scare the burglars and they abandoned a couple backpacks with stolen property in the home. A K9 track did not locate the suspects.

#2020-20223007 December 29, 2020 reported around 3:06 p.m. in the area of 500 E. Sinto Avenue. An entry door was forced open and a burglary committed.

#2020-20223176 December 29, 2020 reported around 8:50 p.m. in the area of 300 E. Indiana Avenue. An entry door, along with locked interior doors, were forced open and a burglary was committed.

#2020-20223162 December 29, 2020 reported around 8:11 p.m. in the area of 800 E. Nora Avenue. An entry door was found wide open by a friend of the tenants. He called police who searched the residence and confirmed a burglary was committed.

#2020-20223176 December 29, 2020 reported around 8:50 p.m. in the area of 1700 N. Cincinnati Street. An entry door was forced open and a burglary was committed.

#2021-20000283 January 1, 2021 reported around 2:04 p.m. in the area of 1100 E. Augusta Avenue. An unforced entry was made into a home and a burglary occurred. Property was stolen. The entry door may have been left unlocked when the last student left for break.

These are ongoing investigations by the Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT). There may be many more individual victims that will be known after all the students return to campus. At that time, officers may learn of more stolen property being reported. PACT has developed probable cause for three subjects and has recovered several items of stolen property. This investigation is ongoing and the recovered property will be returned to the victims at a later date.

The Spokane Police Department would like to recommend safety ideas to anyone who may be away from their residence for an extended period of time. These suggestions may reduce your chance of being victimized.

1. Have your mail held by the United States Postal Service while gone.
2. Leave interior lights on timers.
3. Ask a neighbor to clear the snow from walkways and check on your property.
4. Secure Valuables.
5. Consider a security camera to monitor your residence that will send notifications.
6. Keep a low profile on social media.

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