Police Department

Prolific Vehicle Thief Sentenced To Multiple Years in Prison

Ofc. Stephen Anderson, PIO

Friday, December 3, 2021 at 4:53 p.m.

23-time convicted felon and prolific Spokane vehicle thief sentenced to multiple years in prison

Each year, SPD takes a proactive approach to combatting the ongoing crime of vehicle theft within the community. SPD patrol officers along with SPD PACT (Patrol Anti-Crime Team) relentlessly seek the recovery of stolen vehicles through a variety of investigative methods.

As a result, vehicle thefts have steadily decreased in Spokane over the past 5 years.

Over the course of several years and multiple vehicle theft investigations SPD PACT began noticing a trend in the theft of 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty F250’s and F350’s. This specific year range of Ford Super Duty are very popular. These models are among the most frequently stolen vehicles in the United States, and were ranked the #1 most stolen vehicle in Canada for a period of time.

Through multiple investigations, SPD PACT determined the primary culprit responsible for numerous thefts of 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty F250’s and F350’s was Aleksey Solodyankin (42 y/o). This trend had not been prevalent in Spokane until this point.

SPD PACT consistently developed probable cause to arrest Solodyankin for a vast variety of crimes related to a vehicle theft crime spree which lasted for years.

Solodyankin was incarcerated several times in the months to follow. During the periods he was incarcerated, there was a dramatic decrease in the theft of 1999-2007 Ford Super Duty F250’s and F350’s. Conversely, an increase in theft of those particular vehicle models was seen during the periods Solodyankin was no longer incarcerated.

Recently, Solodyankin pled guilty to the following: (12) Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Taking a Motor Vehicle without Permission, Residential Burglary, (2) Identity Theft, Second Degree Burglary, and Second Degree Trafficking Stolen Property.

As a condition of a plea agreement, Solodyankin will receive drug treatment and will serve 74.5 months in prison, with the possibility to be incarcerated for 84 months if he fails to complete treatment.

SPD is committed to the proactive approach to vehicle theft reduction, which results in bringing offenders like Solodyankin to justice.

See the link for vehicle theft prevention tips to help you avoid being a victim: https://vimeo.com/649724873

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