Police Department

South Spokane Resident Arrives Home To Find Male Burglarizing Apartment; Resident Assaulted Before Suspect Flees The Area

Officer Daniel Strassenberg, PIO

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 2:50 p.m.

On January 15, 2026 at just before 7 p.m. Spokane Police Officers responded to an apartment complex in the 5000 block of South Palouse Highway on a reported burglary. 911 was advised that a female resident came home to find an unknown male in her bedroom. Upon confronting this person, the resident was struck in the face and suffered minor injuries from a knife or box cutter the suspect had in his possession. The suspect then fled the residence through a bedroom window before officers arrived on scene.

Upon quickly arriving at the apartment, officers set up a perimeter around the area in an attempt to locate the male. A K9 officer and the Air Support Unit (ASU) assisted on the call as well. Despite the effort, the suspect was not located.

Officers were advised the suspect may have entered the apartment through an unsecured slider door. Members of the Forensics Unit also responded to process the scene. The victim had injuries consistent with being struck in the face and being cut with an edged weapon.

The suspect in the burglary and subsequent felony assault is described as a white male with blue eyes and blonde eye lashes. His height was described as 5’06” to 5’10” with a heavy build. The male had a black ski mask on and red hoody with a white “fleur de-lis” emblem on the left side. The edged weapon used in the assault is described as having a curved steel blade with a black/red handle.

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Crime Check at 509.456.2233, reference 2026-20009673.

Visit the Home Security & Burglary Prevention page.

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