Deputies Arrest Burglary Suspect After Alert Neighbor Calls 911
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the report of a residential burglary in progress. Deputies contacted the caller, an alert neighbor, and the victim, who was not home. After a short standoff, with the assistance of the Warrant Service Group (small contingent of SWAT members) and a UAS (drone), the suspect was located and safely taken into custody.
On February 3, 2025, just before 6:00 pm, Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a reported burglary in progress. An alert neighbor, knowing his neighbors weren’t home, called 911 to report that an unknown white male forced the door of his neighbor’s home open. He described the male as approximately 5’07”, wearing a black beanie, black coat, and tan pants.
Arriving Deputies contacted the caller and checked his neighbor’s home, finding one of the doors had been forced open. A Deputy noticed footprints on the lower side of the door, the deadbolt was still in the locked position, and the inside doorframe was damaged. Deputies could also hear noise coming from inside the home.
Additional Deputies responded, and with the help of the alert neighbor, Deputies contacted the victim by phone. The victim told Deputies an unknown male, observed on surveillance cameras, kicked in a door, confirmed no one was supposed to be inside the home, and gave Deputies permission to enter the residence.
Deputies established a perimeter and gave PA announcements, advising anyone in the home to announce themselves and follow commands. With no response and information the suspect might have access to weapons, members of the Warrant Service Group, a small contingent of SWAT members, responded to assist.
A UAS (drone) was flown into the residence, and the suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Austin J. Schwahn, was observed lying down in the living room. Schwahn looked at the UAS and showed both of his hands. The UAS operator landed on a nearby table, allowing Schwahn’s movements to be observed in real-time via the UAS’s camera.
Deputies continued giving PA warnings and announcements, and at approximately 7:20 pm, Schwahn followed commands and was safely arrested.
Schwahn was advised of his rights and declined to answer questions.
Schwahn was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail, charged with Residential Burglary and Malicious Mischief 3rd Degree.
###
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Deputies Arrest Burglary Suspect After Alert Neighbor Calls 911" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7