Law enforcement officers arrest one for stolen vehicle

A report of a stolen vehicle out of Seattle led to the arrest of James S. Henderson outside of US Bank in Ritzville on Tuesday, Sept. 30. The initial call came in for suspicious behavior, leading to the discovery of the stolen vehicle.

Civil Deputy Bill Banner observed Henderson working on a damaged steering column in a vehicle, and after the plates had been run, law enforcement officers learned the 1989 Toyota Van was stolen out of Seattle.

Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeff Lane and Ritzville Police Chief David McCormick responded to the call shortly before 10 a.m. Lane arrived first and took the suspect into custody.

McCormick reported Henderson initially claimed to have borrowed the vehicle from a friend. Seattle Police Department confirmed the vehicle was stolen out of Seattle. Washington State Patrol Trooper Wickham transported Henderson to the Adams County Jail from the scene.

Inside the vehicle, McCormick observed two cell phones, a large speaker on the driver’s seat and a pouch of jewelry. He also reported clothing and a sleeping bag in the back of the vehicle.

McCormick reported the steering column had also been tampered with and appeared to be held together by duct tape and a larger locking device. After his investigation, B&B Towing impounded the vehicle.

Upon questioning Henderson at the jail, McCormick learned the jewelry and cell phones belonged to Henderson. He claimed he used the vehicle frequently with his friend to move lawnmowers and other small equipment.

The registered owner contacted McCormick in the afternoon, reporting that around 2 a.m. the same day the vehicle had been taken from the driveway at the home. The van had immediately been reported as stolen with the Seattle Police Department.

McCormick contacted a US Bank employee regarding the incident and was advised Henderson had entered the bank earlier asking to have a money order sent to the bank. He did not have an account for the transfer and left the bank, and was identified as the same subject Deputy Lane took into custody.