Charges dismissed against roof-running airman

Charges were dismissed in a plea deal involving a U.S. Air Force airman accused of breaking into a building, scaring a sleeping woman and stealing a roofing knife in September.

Jason Turkovich was found and arrested on the roof of a building in downtown Spokane on West Main Avenue that houses apartments and the antique shop Roost. Turkovich was never booked into jail and was charged with misdemeanor trespassing.

Body camera footage shows that Spokane Police decided not to request a felony burglary charge against Turkovich once they learned he was in the Air Force.

Turkovich paid $500 in restitution for a damaged door, performed community service and wrote letters of apology to the building owner and the woman he frightened when she awoke to find Turkovich standing in her doorway, said prosecutor Justin Bingham.

Public affairs officer Robert Rubio at Lackland Air Force Base, where Turkovich is currently assigned, said “additional action” was taken by Turkovich’s commanding officer but said disciplinary details could not be released.

Turkovich was promoted to Airman First Class in December.