SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane detectives are hoping to identify victims of theft and reunite them with stolen property after a burglary and theft investigation began in Spokane Valley over the weekend.
On Sunday, a Spokane Valley deputy responded to a citizen’s call about a burglary at his home.
The victim said he 2015 Jeep Cherokee, car keys, wallet, and a loaded Glock .40-calibert pistol were stolen, according to a spokesperson with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects later used his credit card to purchase snacks and cigarettes from a gas station, which led deputies to their location.
Deputies eventually found 35-year-old Casey R. Gillette and his girlfriend, 33-year-old Melissa A. Buchheit, at a Maverick gas station.
Gillette was charged with first degree burglary, theft of a firearm from a building and theft of a motor vehicle. Buchheit was charged with first degree burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.
A search warrant was later conducted on a backpack, Buchheit’s purse, Gillette’s Honda Accord and a motel room.
One June 4, a detective determined that a Honda generator, compound bow with arrows and a bag of high-end fly-fishing gear were taken during a reported garage burglary in May. The detective returned the stolen property to the victim.
Detectives also recovered more property during the investigation that has not been matched to any reported theft cases in hopes of identifying additional victims who may not have reported the theft or known they were victimized.
View all of the recovered property below:
Photos: Stolen items
If you recognize any of the property and have already reported the theft, contact Detective Mark Smoldt at 509-477-3139 and leave a voicemail with your contact information and report number.
If you recognize any of the property, and have not reported the theft but can prove ownership, you are asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233 and report it prior to contacting Smoldt.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected, according to the sheriff’s office.
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