SPOKANE VALLEY – A victim reported fraudulent charges exceeding $6,000 on her bank and credit cards subsequent to losing her purse on March 14 at 6:40 pm.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Crystal S. Blyman, was captured on surveillance footage at Best Buy engaging in fraudulent transactions, including the purchase of a Sony Playstation 5 and assorted items. The victim also provided details regarding the suspect’s vehicle, described as a black Chrysler Pacifica bearing Oregon license plates.
Upon exiting the store, the victim received a notification of an attempted purchase exceeding $1,000 at Fred Meyer, which she promptly declined. In the vicinity, accompanied by her spouse, she proceeded to the store’s parking lot in an effort to locate Blyman’s Pacifica while contacting Spokane Regional Emergency Communication to request assistance from a Spokane Valley Deputy.
Subsequently locating the Pacifica parked in a designated disabled parking spot on the store’s west side, the victim, still in communication with SREC, relayed information as she and her spouse approached the unattended vehicle. Visible within were items suspected to have been fraudulently procured, including a Playstation 5.
Moments later, Blyman emerged from the store, prompting a confrontation during which she became agitated, resulting in a physical altercation as the victims obstructed her access to the vehicle.
The Spokane Regional Air Support Unit Air-1, conducting routine aerial patrol, arrived, capturing the incident on camera as it unfolded. Despite continued physical aggression towards the victims, Blyman fled the scene in the Pacifica, traveling north on Sullivan Road at high speed.
Providing real-time updates to ground deputies, Air-1 monitored Blyman’s erratic route through the surrounding neighborhood until she entered the driveway of a residence on East Valleyway Avenue, west of Adams Road. Upon exiting the vehicle and advancing towards the residence’s front porch, Sheriff Nowels arrived, initiating contact with Blyman.
Moments later, Deputy Hayter arrived to assist in detaining Blyman and securing the vehicle.
Subsequent investigation revealed Blyman’s lack of affiliation with the residence where apprehended, and the homeowner, absent at the time, was unfamiliar with her. Blyman provided a residential address in Vancouver, Washington, and the vehicle in her possession was determined to be a rental.
Blyman was apprised of her arrest and a small leather wallet in her possession was confiscated. A search yielded multiple gift cards suspected of being fraudulently obtained, in addition to several bank and identification cards belonging to the victim.
Blyman was transported and subsequently booked into Spokane County Jail on charges including two counts of first-degree identity theft, four counts of third-degree stolen property, and two counts of fourth-degree assault.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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