Police Department

SPD Makes Arson Arrest

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, 509.625.5868

Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 2:19 p.m.

Spokane Police arrest suspect in a fire on Easter Sunday in the West Central neighborhood – numerous people were inside the involved structure  

On 3/31/24 just after 10pm, Spokane Police officers responded to a house on the 1800 block of West Dean Ave to assist the Spokane Fire Department in response to a fire. Officers began interviewing a number of people who had exited the house, some of whom indicated another person who stays at the house had expressed intentions of starting a fire. That person was not at the residence at the time SPD was conducting interviews with the other residents. Officers were eventually able to develop probable cause to arrest that resident for arson.

Just before 3am this morning, 4/2/24, Officers arrived at a house where the suspect was known to be. Two people came out of the house, got in a vehicle and drove away. Officers followed the vehicle but lost it several times until it came to a stop in an alley. Both occupants of the vehicle were then detained by SPD without incident. Nicolas D. Whitney (43) was booked into the Spokane County Jail for 6 counts of 1^st Degree Arson. Whitney is a convicted felon with recent convictions for 1^st Degree Theft. This is an ongoing Major Crimes investigation.

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