A burglary suspect was arrested late last month after he is suspected of crawling through a doggie door to steal guns, electronics and knives from a Spokane home.

The burglary took place a year ago, but by the time police identified a suspect and made an arrest late last month, the man was already serving time in jail on other charges.

“The short story is we didn't get the fingerprints back on some of the evidence we collected until February,” according to a police officer. Detectives followed up and tracked their suspect to the Spokane County Jail.

In addition to stealing swords and other “miscellaneous cutting instruments,” an iPad and a TV, the burglar took a gun safe containing 11 guns, including handguns, shotguns, bolt-action rifles and an AR-15 assault rifle. Various types of ammunition also was taken.

Soon after the burglary, the homeowner was contacted by the thief who offered to return the iPad in exchange for a reward. Instead of calling police, the homeowner contacted a friend who retrieved the iPad. After the suspect's arrest last month, the homeowner's friend identified the burglar from a photo lineup.

The man was charged with one count of first-degree burglary, but because of a previous conviction, he was not allowed to be in possession of guns. Hence, he was charged with 11 counts of illegally owning a firearm.

A person is guilty of burglary in the first degree if, with intent to commit a crime against a person or property therein, he enters or remains unlawfully in a building and is armed with a deadly weapon or assaults any person. Burglary in the first degree is a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison or a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, if the person owns, has in his possession or has in his control any firearm after having previously been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity in this state or elsewhere of any serious offense. Unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree is a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to $25,000, or both.

No matter the crime or the circumstances, every defendant has a right to representation by a qualified attorney. If you have been arrested and face criminal charges, call the Seattle law office of Steve Karimi at (206) 621-8777 or contact him online.