Spokane Valley, WA – A Spokane Valley Deputy safely de-escalated a tense confrontation Monday afternoon, arresting an allegedly intoxicated woman armed with a stolen claw/pry bar after she damaged a home’s wood door, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded around 1:40 p.m. on February 2 near East 10th Avenue and South Oberlin Road after reports of a prowler taking a tool from a vehicle. The caller described the woman as possibly high or intoxicated.
When the Deputy located the suspect—identified as 36-year-old Kathleen M. Rice—she was reportedly striking a solid wood front door with the tool. As the Deputy ordered her to stop, Rice allegedly raised the pry bar above her head, suggesting a possible attack.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Deputy drew his Taser and issued repeated commands for Rice to drop the weapon. She eventually complied after multiple warnings and was taken into custody without injury.
Rice admitted to taking the tool and was medically evaluated for breathing difficulties before being cleared by medics. She was booked into the Spokane County Jail on felony Malicious Mischief 2nd Degree charges.
The homeowner told deputies he plans to pursue charges for property damage, while the vehicle owner declined to press charges for theft.
Rice was previously arrested in December 2023 on felony assault and malicious mischief charges after allegedly kicking a Deputy and damaging a patrol car.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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