Thwarted burglary of WSP impound lot may have targeted drug-filled car

A thwarted break-in at the Washington State Patrol’s impound lot early Wednesday may have been targeting a car containing a pound of methamphetamine and other drugs.

Investigators are seeking a motive for the attempted burglary at the WSP building off Rowand Road near Spokane International Airport. Three people were caught on cameras around 4 a.m. Wednesday cutting a security fence and entering the impound “bullpen,” WSP spokesman Jeff Sevigney said.

Earlier this week, troopers impounded a 2004 Cadillac after driver Marie A. Hanlan, 36, and passenger Timothy G. Maddox, 34, were arrested during a traffic stop north of Mead on U.S. Highway 2.

Sevigney said the burglars fled after recently installed alarms triggered shortly after the break-in attempt.

“They made it about 8 feet into the bullpen,” Sevigney said.

No items were taken and the burglars did not reach the Cadillac, though it is unclear whether that car was targeted by the intruders. An attorney, not named in court documents, contacted the district office the day before the break-in and asked that the Cadillac be returned.

Wednesday morning, drug investigators searched the car and found a pound of methamphetamine, a pound of marijuana, 2 ounces of heroin and guns, according to court records. Hanlan and Maddox face potential charges of possession of drugs with intent to distribute, according to court documents.

It’s not the first time criminals have tried breaking into the WSP impound lot.

In 2009, Casey D. Beckham was implicated in a similar break-in at the facility after his fingerprints were found on an impounded Suburban, according to court records.

There have been no arrests in Wednesday’s break-in. Both Hanlan and Maddox have previous convictions for traffic violations, assault and unlawful possession of firearms.

They are in custody at the Spokane County Jail and have federal court dates scheduled for next week.