ALPR Leads to Stolen Vehicle Recovery and the Arrest of Several Suspects
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an Automated License Reader (ALPR) Alert regarding a stolen vehicle. Deputies located the vehicle and contacted several subjects associated with it. Following the investigation, three suspects were arrested for crimes related to the vehicle theft and unrelated warrants.
On November 12, 2024, at approximately 1:40 am., a Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Dispatcher advised Patrol Deputies, via radio, of a Flock ALPR Alert regarding a reported stolen vehicle, a blue Mazda, near N. Division Street and Francis Avenue.
Deputies converged on the area, located the stolen vehicle near W. Dalke Avenue and N. Ruby Street, and, with the assistance of Spokane Police Officers, contacted several subjects.
Through the subsequent investigation, Deputies learned the Mazda was reported stolen in the City of Spokane on November 7, 2024. The theft report stated the victim, disabled and unable to drive, allowed her friend to use the vehicle (Mazda) to run errands. On November 1, 2024, the victim’s friend went to the store, and her friend, 40-year-old Scott C. Gothberg, went with her. On the way back to the victim’s home, they stopped at a residence, and the driver went inside, leaving Gothberg in the passenger’s seat. When the victim’s friend returned, the Mazda and Gothberg were gone. Although Gothberg was not given permission to take the car, the victim waited, hoping he would return it. Unfortunately, he didn’t, and the victim reported it stolen on November 7, 2024. An associate of Gothberg, 34-year-old Jennifer L. Lawrence, was also mentioned as a possible suspect.
After Deputies located the stolen Mazda, they detained Gothberg, Lawrence, 40-year-old Michael J. Fagan, and several others.
Deputies established probable cause and arrested Gothberg for Theft of a Motor Vehicle.
Lawrence was arrested for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle and unrelated warrants for Theft 3rd Degree, Assault 4th Degree (two counts), and Possession of a Controlled Substance (two counts).
Fagan was found to have a valid but unrelated misdemeanor (Physical Control) warrant for his arrest.
All three were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for their charges.
The other subjects contacted were released without charges.
The stolen Mazda was released back to the registered owner.
During first appearance, Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz set Gothberg’s total bond at $1,000.
Lawrence was released on her own recognizance by Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz on the Possession of a Stolen Vehicle charge, but she remains in jail on her warrants issued by various judges, with a total case bond of $1,500.
Fagan remains in jail on his no-bond misdemeanor Physical Control warrant issued by Spokane City Municipal Court Commissioner M. Valerien.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "ALPR Leads to Stolen Vehicle Recovery and the Arrest of Several Suspects" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7