Dave Smith vehicle burglary suspects in custody
This is not the exact vehicle still missing, but is similar in look to it.
Photo courtesy of SHOSHONE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
SPOKANE — Another suspect believed to have been involved in the burglary of three Dave Smith vehicles in mid-October is in custody and facing numerous charges.
Sgt. Teresa Fuller, public information officer with the Spokane Police Department, reported that officers from SPD’s Patrol Anti-Crime Team, Special Investigation Unit, and Neighborhood Resource Officers arrested Daniel Haslage, 26, of Montana following a SWAT raid on Oct. 20.
Following up on investigative intelligence, law enforcement tracked Haslage to the Apple Tree Inn in the 9500 block of North Division in Spokane. Intelligence reports also revealed that Haslage was armed and in the company of multiple other people in the room he was staying in.
“Because of the additional intelligence of more armed people in the room Haslage had been staying in, resources including SWAT, Hostage Negotiators, K-9, the Explosives Disposal Unit, Spokane Fire Department, and AMR were called to the scene in order to ensure the safest resolution possible,” Sgt. Fuller explained. “The units around the suspect location were evacuated as a precaution. Highway 395 from Westview to Country Homes and Holland between 395 and Highway 2 was closed for several hours.”
While initially uncooperative, Haslage was taken into custody without incident after a search warrant was executed on the room that night.
Haslage, who was arrested that night for a felony warrant from Idaho (unrelated to crimes in Shoshone County), is a suspect in multiple crimes spanning three states.
Shoshone County residents may remember him as one of two men who attempted to steal a 1969 “General Lee” replica Dodge Charger and an Orange 1970 Dodge Super Bee from a residence in Mullan in June.
Haslage and his partner, Leif P. Larsen, 40, of Port Angeles, Wash., were both arrested then, as well and the vintage cars were returned to their owners.
In regard to the Dave Smith burglary, Larsen was arrested the day after the heist that occurred at the fenced Dave Smith building between Walmart and the Silver Leaf Apartments in Smelterville.
Following an investigation of the scene by the Shoshone County Sheriff's Office, the building was processed and video surveillance was obtained. Through that process, it was discovered that three vehicles were stolen sometime between 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 and 4 a.m. on Oct. 14.
This information was shared with neighboring agencies and with the help of Spokane County SO/Spokane Police, two of the three vehicles were recovered, along with the arrest of Larsen.
The recovered vehicles were a black, 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat and a silver 2019 Ram 3500 pickup. The one vehicle still missing is a white, 2018 GMC Sierra 4dr pickup.
SCSO Lt. Jeff Lee states that more individuals are believed to have been involved than just Haslage and Larsen.
The incident is still an ongoing investigation that is involving SCSO, FBI and multiple Washington law enforcement agencies.
SCSO is asking for anyone with information on the missing vehicle to please contact SCSO Deputy Rodier by calling 208-556-1114. Reference case No. 01-2020-00839.