Armed Convicted Felon Found Sleeping in Stolen Vehicle
Second Suspect also Arrested
Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a located stolen vehicle. The two suspects found sleeping inside were arrested and through the subsequent investigation, were linked to a second stolen vehicle and a hit and run collision. Additionally, two firearms and methamphetamine were also recovered.
On December 2, 2018, just after 9:30 a.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the parking lot of the Holiday Gas Station, located at 2302 N. Argonne, for a report of a stolen vehicle. The caller stated they located a family member’s GMC pick-up that was stolen on December 1st from the 8300 block of Columbia Drive.
Deputies contacted and safely detained the male driver, later identified as 38-year-old Justin D. Autrey, and a female passenger, later identified as 31-year-old Kristin A. Morris. A check of the GMC’s vehicle identification number (VIN) confirmed it was the reported stolen vehicle and Autrey was arrested.
During a search of Autrey after his arrest, Deputy Bulpin located a loaded .38 revolver and a white crystalline substance, which was later field tested and showed a presumptive positive result for methamphetamine. The revolver was found to have had the serial number illegally removed and a criminal history check showed Autrey was a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.
The owner of the GMC arrived at the scene and gave Deputies permission to search the vehicle. The search revealed multiple items which did not belong to the victim, including a second firearm found in the back seat of the truck.
As the investigation continued, Deputies learned witnesses of the GMC theft observed Morris driving a red Toyota Echo in the neighborhood and thought Morris was possibly involved. They later observed a post on Spokane News’ Facebook page stating the Toyota was involved in a crash with a power pole near Crestwood Ln. and Campbell Rd. At the time of the collision, the driver fled the scene. The registered owner of the Toyota was contacted and advised the vehicle had been stolen.
Deputies learned Autrey and Morris were in the Toyota the night the GMC was stolen. Morris was driving the Toyota and Autrey stole the GMC. Later that night, Morris crashed the Toyota and fled the scene. She was picked up by Autrey and they drove around, later parking in the Holiday Gas station parking lot and falling asleep.
Autrey and Morris were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail.
Autrey was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, Possession of a Controlled Substance-Methamphetamine and Possession of an Alternated Firearm.
Morris was charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Hit-and-Run, Unattended.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer