Thorough Investigation Leads to the Recovery of a Previously Unreported Stolen Trailer and the Arrest of a 17-Time-Convicted Felon
Spokane County Deputies responded to a suspicious vehicle and a possible collision near N. Division Street and E. Farwell Road. Through the investigation, Deputies learned that the RV trailer involved had been stolen, but the theft had not yet been discovered or reported. They also identified the suspect, a 17-time-covicted felon, and found he was driving an SUV with switched plates. Several hours later, with the assistance of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), another Deputy located the suspect and took him into custody. The RV trailer was returned to the owner, the suspect’s vehicle was seized as part of another agency’s investigation, and the suspect was booked into jail.
On July 22, 2025, at approximately 1:05 pm, a Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a reported suspicious vehicle and a possible crash in the 12700 block of N. Division Street. The caller stated the driver of an SUV pulling a camper had possibly hit some trees, and almost hit a fence, leading the caller to believe the driver might be impaired.
The Deputy arrived at the location and observed a white Jeep parked near a travel trailer, but noted that they did not match the description provided by the caller. Unsure, the Deputy parked away from the Jeep and trailer as he began trying to determine if a crime had occurred.
During this time, he observed a white male drive the Jeep in question by his patrol car. The Deputy was able to clearly see the driver’s face and the license plate displayed on the Jeep, but he did not observe any signs of impairment. Lacking a lawful reason to stop the SUV and/or detain the driver, he watched the Jeep leave the parking lot and turn onto N. Division.
As he continued to investigate, he identified the driver as 48-year-old Aaron J. Leigh, a 17-time convicted felon in Washington for charges of Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree (6 convictions), Theft 2nd Degree (3 convictions), Forgery (2 convictions), Obtaining a Signature by Deception (2 convictions) Residential Burglary, and three Controlled Substance convictions. He also checked the license plate displayed on the trailer and eventually discovered that it was registered to a business in Airway Heights.
He contacted the business and found out the trailer was supposed to be parked on their lot. The victim explained no one had permission to take the trailer, and they wanted to pursue theft charges. The Deputy processed the now-reported stolen trailer, worth approximately $40,000, for evidence and later released it to an employee of the business.
Through the continued investigation, the Deputy developed probable cause to charge Leigh with Theft 1st Degree. He also learned that Airway Heights Police were investigating several additional, but unrelated, thefts in which Leigh was a possible suspect.
At approximately 6:35 pm, a different Deputy, attempting to locate Leigh or the Jeep driven by him, began checking the area of recent Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) alerts in the Airway Heights area.
At approximately 7:35 pm, the Deputy located the Jeep, traveling west on 18th Avenue toward Campbell Road, and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Leigh, was detained without incident.
Airway Heights investigators also responded and seized the Jeep as part of their continuing investigation.
The Deputy transported and booked Leigh into the Spokane County Jail for Theft 1st Degree.
Investigations into Leigh’s possible criminal behavior continue, and no further information is available at this time.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "A Thorough Investigation Leads to the Recovery of a Previously Unreported Stolen Trailer and Arrest" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7