SPD Arrest Male Suspected of Burglarizing Home in the Evacuation Zone

SPD Arrest Male Suspected of Burglarizing Home in the Evacuation Zone

Officer T. Leming, PIO

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 7:55 a.m.

On August 8^th, 2026 a resident of Five Mile called in to report their house had been burglarized between August 1^st and August 8^th, while they were evacuated.

Officers responded and the resident was able to provide video footage, which was used to identify the suspect male. The victim also posted the video on a popular social media platform and received tips regarding the suspect male seen in the video. These tips were provided to officers by the victim.

On August 13^th, officers located the suspect male near Northtown Mall. Lawrence C. Moss was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Residential Burglary.

During the evacuations, SPD was made aware of growing concerns of burglaries in the level 3 evacuation zones. Once it was safe to enter the level 3 evacuation zones, the department fully staffed dedicated patrols to work within these areas. Officers were staffed to work 12-hour shifts both day and night. They roamed the affected neighborhoods by vehicle and foot to show a police presence and identify any suspicious activity they observed.

Major Crimes Detectives were also deployed to the affected neighborhoods. Detectives went out, contacted homeowners and neighbors, along with following up on any reports of suspicious activity and burglaries.

Detectives spent several hours in the neighborhoods providing highly visible presence alongside the dedicated patrol officers. During the patrols, a detective was recognized by a homeowner after noticing a wide-open front door. With permission from the homeowner, the house was cleared of any suspicious activity and secured.

During this deployment, at least two additional suspects were arrested for crimes committed within the evacuation zones.

Chad D. Taylor (51) was arrested for Criminal Trespass 2^nd Degree and Making or Having Burglary tools.

Neil R. Vanvoorst (42) was arrested for Criminal Trespass 2^nd Degree.

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