Spokesman Review
SPOKANE — Two suspected burglars are in custody after Spokane police used crime-mapping software to help predict when and where thieves might strike next.
Curtis McKelvey, 29, and Chelsea A. Linerud, 23, were arrested early Monday after officers spotted a man with a crowbar smashing his way through a Radio Shack window at Lincoln Heights Shopping Center, according to police.
Detectives had been investigating a dozen other commercial burglaries in the South Hill area during the past several weeks using crime trend mapping computer software.
They discovered a pattern of several burglaries that involved electronics retailers in the Lincoln Heights area.
Patrol officers were given the information and monitored the area.
At 5:15 a.m. Monday, Officer Jason Uberuagaintervened just as McKelvey began breaking the window with a crowbar to enter the store, according to a police press release.
The suspect tried to run, but Uberuaga arrested him. He then watched as a suspicious vehicle left the area.
Detectives followed up and identified Linerud as the driver of the getaway car. She was arrested Monday afternoon.
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