Suspect was arrested three times in three days for vehicle theft

SPOKANE, Wash. – A suspect has been arrested for the third time in as many days following a recent crime spree against a local business.

According to the Spokane Police Department (SPD), 50-year-old Larry Griffin was booked into the Spokane County Jail on September 23 on a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. Police said the car was stolen overnight from a store on North Division Street near East Francis Avenue. According to police, the vehicle was recovered by employees and returned to the parking lot.

Griffin was released the following day. However, Spokane police said officers were dispatched to the same business at 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 25 for reports of a prowling vehicle. Officers found Griffin in a car in the parking lot and was arrested, and police learned other vehicles had been illegally entered. Griffin was arrested on three counts of vehicular assault.

The next day, Spokane police said they responded to the same business for a stolen vehicle complaint. SPD said employees came to work to see another missing vehicle, later recovering it and returning it to the parking lot.

SPD said Griffin returned to the parking lot and officers found Griffin nearby. SPD said Griffin “was uncooperative when contacted and yelled at officers that they had to shoot him.”

Griffin was arrested Thursday on charges of theft of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest and obstruction. SPD said Griffin is still in jail.

Two of the three arrests took place in Arrota's Mitsubishi. General manager Sam Van Valer said they need to prepare for thefts on the property.

“Knowing it’s going to happen [and] Do as much as you can to prevent it,” Van Valer said.

Van Valer said Griffin apologized to employees for the thefts. Van Valer also emphasized his dislike of dealing with the series of events.

“I'm not a guy whose crime and punishment, but if there are no consequences at all, there's no reason for him to stop,” Van Valer said.

Van Valer said they are being more careful with their cars in the parking lot, but Van Valer said he feels like thefts are sometimes unavoidable.

“It’s the nature of the business,” Van Valer said.

SPD said Griffin has an extensive criminal history. SPD said he was previously convicted of second-degree robbery.