SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane County deputies arrested a 19-year-old man on Monday for stealing a vehicle, but was released the next day on his recognizance after making his first court appearance.
On Dec. 11 around 7:40 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies were notified by a Flock ALPR alert about a reported stolen vehicle near Monroe Street and Francis Avenue.
The FLOCK camera system is an automated license plate reader that sends alerts to law enforcement of a registered stolen vehicle. It also provides them with footage that is searchable and easy to sift through.
Deputies reported to that area and located the stolen vehicle in a parking lot in the 6300 block of North Monroe.
The driver, 19-year-old Sonny Prentice, was detained by Spokane County deputies. He was advised his rights and agreed to answer questions during the investigation.
Deputies reported that he explained that the vehicle belonged to his “girlfriend” and borrowed it a couple weeks ago.
But after deputies received information from the owner of the vehicle, Prentice began to change up his story.
The registered owner of the vehicle stated that she was not Prentice’s girlfriend and ‘was only trying to be nice and help him out because he was sleeping on the streets.”
She told deputies that she did not give him permission to use her vehicle and messaged him several times to bring it back.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies found two small, round, blue pills commonly known as “Mexies” believed to contain fentanyl.
Sonny Prentice was transported and booked into Spokane County Jail for theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a controlled substance.
On Dec. 12, Prentice made his first appearance hearing and was released on his own recognizance.
