SPOKANE, Wash. – Police arrested a Spokane man after he allegedly caused over $30,000 in damages to an animal hospital.
According to court documents, a witness reported that between June 15 and June 17, someone deliberately turned off the power outside Union Animal Hospital in Spokane Valley. The witness noted that the breakers were unlocked, leading to a power outage that damaged vaccines, medications, lab samples and bloodwork stored in coolers. The hospital suffered a total inventory loss exceeding $20,000, including $15,000 from canceled appointments, resulting in $35,000 in damages.
Court documents state that the witness reported the incident to the Spokane Police Department (SPD), providing photos and video surveillance of the alleged perpetrator. An SPD investigator confirmed the suspect’s identity as Shon W. Thorson from the surveillance footage, which showed him walking to the power boxes and disabling the power.
Police contacted Thorson, who initially denied being the person in the photos and videos, suggesting someone had impersonated him. However, he later admitted to being at the location that night, citing his schizophrenia. Thorson was transported and booked into Spokane County Jail, facing potential First Degree Malicious Mischief charges.
