Damage estimated to be $10,000
SPOKANE VALLEY – Spokane Valley deputies responded to an attempted burglary and a suspicious vehicle call near the same location, determining the vehicle was an unreported stolen car used in the burglary attempt. The suspect, 20-year-old Damien D. Ocacio, matching the description from store surveillance footage, was arrested shortly afterward.
Deputies were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle at the junction of North Farr Road and East Main at 6:30 am on April 24. They found a black Toyota Camry partially blocking the northbound lane of Farr, showing recent collision damage, and efforts to reach the registered owner were unsuccessful, leading to a tow truck request.
Simultaneously, an employee from a local business in the 9600 block of East Sprague notified a deputy. After the collision, surveillance footage depicted Ocacio leaving in the vehicle before returning on foot to unsuccessfully attempt entry into the building.
The estimated damage to the building, including harm to a load-bearing beam, totaled approximately $10,000.
During the investigation, deputies confirmed the Camry’s involvement in the attempted burglary. Surveillance footage showed the Camry circling the parking lot, colliding with the building wall, and then departing northbound on Farr Road.
Ocacio, identified in the video, returned to the scene wearing distinctive attire, including red and black pajama pants, a dark and light blue hooded jacket, black work boots, a baseball hat, and carrying a blue backpack. This description was relayed to other deputies in the vicinity.
Shortly afterward, a deputy located a man matching the burglary suspect’s description, later identified as Ocacio, on the north side of Sprague at North Herald. After being informed of his rights, he agreed to answer questions but denied any knowledge of the Camry or the attempted burglary, despite being found wearing clothing matching that seen in the surveillance footage.
Upon his arrest, he claimed he had only been involved in some minor activities like pulling on boards while dumpster diving in the area.
Ocacio was booked into Spokane County Jail on charges including second-degree burglary, first-degree malicious mischief, and hit-and-run (property damage). Additional charges of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and first-degree malicious mischief were later added.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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