SPOKANE, Wash. – Three suspects were arrested after deputies recovered a stolen car taken from a disabled woman. One suspect, accused of stealing the vehicle, was apprehended along with two others who were wanted on unrelated warrants.
According to a press release from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, at around 2 a.m., dispatch told deputies of a Flock Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alert that indicated the Mazda was reported stolen. Deputies said they responded to the area near North Division Street and Francis Avenue and, with the help of Spokane Police Officers, located the vehicle near West Dalke Avenue and North Ruby Street. Deputies detained several individuals in the vicinity.
Deputies said that the car had been stolen on Nov. 7 from a disabled woman in Spokane. The victim had allowed a friend, identified as 40-year-old Scott Gothberg, to use the vehicle. Deputies said that on Nov. 1 Gothberg accompanied the driver of the car to a store. The driver entered the store, leaving Gothberg in the passenger seat. When the driver returned, both Gothberg and the car were gone. Despite not having permission to take the vehicle, Gothberg did not return it, prompting the victim to report the theft several days later.
Deputies said that Gothberg was arrested for theft of a motor Vehicle, while 34-year-old Jennifer Lawrence was taken into custody for possession of a stolen motor vehicle and several unrelated warrants, including charges of third-degree theft, two counts of fourth-degree assault and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. A third individual, 40-year-old Michael Fagan, was arrested on a misdemeanor physical control warrant.
All three suspects were booked into the Spokane County Jail. Gothberg’s bond was set at $1,000 during his first appearance, while Lawrence was released on her own recognizance for the stolen vehicle charge but remained in custody on the other warrants with a total bond of $1,500. Fagan is being held without bond due to his outstanding misdemeanor warrant.
Deputies said that the car was returned to its rightful owner.
