Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responding to a tip located 35-year-old Kaylee R. Zornes inside her residence in the 12800 block of N. Jaydee Lane. She ran out of the back door and toward the street as she ignored commands to stop, tripped, and fell to the ground. Deputies quickly took her into custody without further incident.
On May 18, 2023, at approximately 8:50 pm, Deputies were advised that Zornes was at her residence on Jaydee Lane and that she had a confirmed felony warrant for possession of stolen property.
Arriving Deputies observed Zornes inside the home and took positions around the house to ensure she didn’t run out the back. Shortly after knocking on the door, a Deputy in the back advised Zornes was peeking out of a back window just before bolting on foot out the back door. With the Deputy yelling command to stop, Zornes rounded the corner of the house, heading for the street, but tripped and fell to the ground, where Deputies quickly took her into custody.
Zornes purse, which she dropped during the fall, was searched, and Deputies located debit and ID cards that were not in her name, along with drug paraphernalia and three small pills believed to contain Fentanyl. A check of one of the names on a card showed he had reported his wallet stolen in Spokane. The victim was contacted, and he advised Deputies he did not know Zornes and hadn’t opened an account for the card in question but believed Zornes could do so with his identification that was in his wallet when it was stolen.
Deputies could not contact the owners of the other cards to confirm if they had been stolen. The cards, pills, and drug paraphernalia were seized and booked into evidence.
Zornes was provided medical attention due to her fall and was cleared for jail.
She was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail on her warrant for Possession of Stolen Property 2dn Degree and Identity Theft 2nd Degree and her previous charges of Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, Unlawful Carry Firearm, and Theft 3rd Degree stemming from her arrest on May 13, 2023, following a standoff. She was also charged with new charges of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree and obstructing.
Release sent on May 13, 2023:
Armed Barricaded and Uncooperative Suspects Arrested Following Lengthy Standoff
This morning, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies investigating a theft call identified a suspect as 35-year-old Kaylee R. Zornes, a convicted felon prohibited from legally possessing a firearm, and learned she was at a residence in the 12800 block of N. Jaydee Lane. They responded to the home and attempted to contact the people inside, who were not cooperative. They noticed a handgun in a vehicle registered to Zornes and obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and premises.
Due to the uncooperative nature and the unknown number of people inside the house, the discovery of a firearm in the suspect’s vehicle, a convicted felon, and the possibility of additional firearms inside the home, the SWAT Team’s assistance was requested.
SWAT, Crisis Negotiators, Rescue Taskforce (SCFD 9), Spokane Reginal Air Support Unit personnel, K9 Teams, and other assets arrived to assist Deputies at the scene.
During the five-plus hour standoff a male, later identified as 37-year-old Jack W. Crowther, called in a report of an active shooter at Fred Meyer. The call was quickly determined to be a false and an apparent ruse to try and lure Deputies away, as the phone call was identified as being placed from inside the home.
Eventually, Zornes and Crowther were safely taken into custody. The handgun was recovered from the car, and a serial number check showed it was reported stolen.
Zornes and Crowther were transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail.
Zornes was charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm 1st Degree, Unlawful Carry Firearm, and Theft 3rd Degree.
Crowther was charged with False Reporting and Obstructing.
Update: Zornes was released on her own recognizance on May 14, 2023, by Spokane County Superior Court Judge J. High-Edward
Crowther was in custody with his bond set at $2,000 but was released from jail on May 19, 2023, after posting bond.
Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer