K9 officer assists in theft arrest | Crime

Boredom led to a man's arrest early Friday, according to the Spokane Valley Sheriff's Office.

At about 2:19 a.m. on Friday, the Spokane Valley Sheriff received a theft call from the East Sprague Wal-Mart. Employees reported seeing a man placing goods into a backpack and then attempting to escape through an emergency exit.

Deputy J. Rodriguez spotted the suspect walking down Sprague near Home Depot and told him to stop. Suspect Merle Roberts, 26, refused to comply and began running. Rodriguez cornered Roberts and told him to stop once more, when Roberts refused, Rodriguez deployed his K9 partner, Brax, who “introduced himself to Roberts.” After their meeting, Roberts was taken into custody without further incident.

According to a news release, “Roberts said he was bored, went into Wal-Mart and began taking things he could use. He said he ran out the emergency door when he realized employees were watching him.”

Roberts was charged with alleged retail theft with extenuating circumstances and he was processed for a felony Department of Corrections warrant.