A Spokane County man caught with stolen vehicles at his South Hill-area home was visited by police two days later after detectives recalled seeing a jewelry box that had been reported stolen.
Randall T. Smeltzer, 32, is in jail on possession of a stolen motor vehicle, stolen property and methamphetamine charges.
Detectives recovered a stolen Mazda and a stolen Chevy Trailblazer from his home in the 3600 block of East Thurston Avenue on Tuesday, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office.
Investigators reviewing burglary reports the next day noted a report listing a distinctive jewelry box stolen on South Fancher Road. They recognized the box as one they'd seen in Smeltzer's room; Detective Dean Meyer obtained a second search warrant for the home on Thursday.
"The jewelry box was recovered, as was jewelry, checkbooks and identification belonging to other victims," Sgt. Dave Reagan said Friday in a news release. "Investigators also found evidence linking Smeltzer to two other stolen vehicles."
Copyright 2011 - The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
