23-time felon caught in burglary case
More than $150,000 in stolen items were recovered from the home of Matthew R. Dobson, 36, in Airway Heights.
AIRWAY HEIGHTS - Spokane County Investigative Unit detectives arrested a 23-time convicted felon on multiple felony charges June 25.
Matthew R. Dobson, 36, was booked into the Spokane County Jail for second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, second-degree, malicious mischief and theft of a motor vehicle.
His bond was set at $20,000 by Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner E. Cruz, and he remains in custody, records show.
More than $150,000 in stolen property was recovered from Dobson's home and returned to the victimized business, records show.
The investigation, which remains active, used information from the real-time license plate readers, the Sheriff's Forensic Unit, Spokane Police Officers, SWAT, detectives and deputies.
On June 10, an employee of Wemco Manufacturing, 5510 W. Thorpe Road, reported a burglary.
Tools, equipment, parts, a Ford F-550, and other high-value items were reportedly stolen.
Deputies discovered a Ram pickup had crashed through the fence to gain access to the property, records show. Some stolen items and a license plate, dislodged from the suspect's vehicle, were found at the scene.
The license plate, registered to a 2014 Ram truck, was entered into the license plate reader and an alert was issued to stop and seize the truck pending a search warrant.
Later that evening, Spokane police responded to the alert and located the vehicle on West Whistalks Way near Spokane Falls Community College, records show.
The driver, identified as Dobson, was arrested for driving with a suspended/revoked license.
Due to jail overcrowding, he was released on his own recognizance.
In the following days, detectives obtained evidence leading to several search warrants and the recovery of stolen property, records show. Then on June 21, detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the 5100 block of North Stevens Street, records show.
Dozens of stolen items, identified by distinctive markings, were recovered.
With further evidence, detectives developed probable cause to arrest Dobson for several new felony charges related to the Wemco burglary.
Dobson, a 23-time convicted felon with prior burglary and theft charges, was located and arrested June 25.
To date, the detectives have recovered approximately $150,000 worth of tools, equipment, and the stolen Ford F550, returning them to Wemco Manufacturing. The investigation continues, with additional charges and arrests possible.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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