SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash.-- Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies caught two burglars in the act late Tuesday.
The house near 25200 N. Sands Road had been vacant for some time, according to authorities.
The owners contacted police around 10 p.m. after suspecting someone was inside the home. They live a short distance away and said the home had been unoccupied since they inherited it ten years ago, but that the residence was furnished.
The homeowners had spotted a Ford Explorer on the property on Monday and again on Tuesday. They homeowner was able to see some type of blue light emanating from a basement window. They called 911 and waited for law enforcement to arrive.
Authorities entered the home and located two suspects, Chaun Herkimer, 23, and Karen Lilyblad, 35. The suspects admitted to staying in the house the previous night. They admitted to entering the house through an “open” back door, according to authorities.
Upon further inspection, authorities found multiple duffel bags lined up against the walls that contained several items from inside the residence. The house had also been ransacked and estimated repairs were nearly $5,000.
Both Herkimer and Lilyblad were booked into the Spokane County Jail on the charges of 2nd Degree Burglary and Malicious Mischief 1st Degree. Herkimer was also booked on two unrelated warrants.
