“SWAT and Hostage Negotiators End Standoff Peacefully
Yesterday afternoon, Spokane Valley SWAT Team members, Hostage Negotiators (HNT) and deputies worked together to peacefully end a very tense situation involving a suspect who stole his ex-girlfriend’s car, had unrelated felon warrants for his arrest, and refused to exit his residence. After SWAT and HNT arrived, the suspect, 27-year-old Nicholas J. Loverro, was peacefully persuaded to surrender. He was taken into custody for Robbery 2nd Degree and for his active felony warrants.
On June 3, 2017, at approximately 12:15 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputy Glenn Hinckley responded to a vehicle theft reported in the area of 1520 N. Argonne in Spokane Valley.
The female victim stated her ex-boyfriend Loverro called her earlier, sounded upset, and asked her to give him a ride. He was acting strange when she picked him up from Northern Quest Casino so she drove straight to his residence in the 10700 block of E. Nora but he refused to get out of the vehicle. She started to get scared and decided to drive to Argonne and Mission where they would be at a public place.
Once there, Loverro continued to refuse to get out. Fearing for her safety, she pulled the ignition keys and planned to run into the store but Laverro grabbed her hand and squeezed until she dropped the keys. He pushed her out of the vehicle as she was screaming for help and drove away.
While she spoke with Deputy Hinckley, Loverro called her several times and asked her why she was talking to the (expletive) “cops†and denied stealing the car. During one of the calls, the victim could her Loverro was with his young daughter and knew he was at the Nora address.
Due to the severity of this incident, the safety of the child believed to be with Loverro, his history and his refusal to answer the door at the residence, the SWAT Team and HNT were called to the scene.
HNT Negotiator Detective Lloyd Hixon made contact with Loverro by phone and successfully convinced him to exit the residence and peacefully surrender.
He was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Robbery 2nd Degree along with his warrants. In addition to this robbery charge, he is held on unrelated charges of burglary, harassment-threats to kill, malicious mischief 2nd, reckless endangerment, driving while suspended, and DUI.
Deputies, SWAT, and HNT negotiators again show success in obtaining the “ultimate goalâ€, a peaceful resolution, to very intense and dangerous situations. This outcome is an example of planning and teamwork, utilizing the deployment of special equipment operated by specially trained deputies coupled with the efforts of caring, highly trained negotiators.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer
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