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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
DNA found on suspect’s Mountain Dew
DAVENPORT — An arrest warrant has been issued for a man whose DNA was found on a Mountain Dew bottle found at the scene of a rural theft northeast of Davenport.
Deputies are seeking information on the whereabouts of Shawn M. Willhite, 44, who may be in Whitman or Spokane Counties.
The arrest warrant was issued Oct. 15.
According to court records, Willhite was identified from DNA as the suspect in a theft reported May 24 at 19501 N. Boyk Road.
At the time, the victim, Weston Sellars, told investigating deputies someone had stolen a toolbox full of parts and tools and a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer stereo system from his Case 500 Quad track, records show, noting 100 gallons of diesel fuel was also reportedly stolen. The value of the stolen items totaled approximately $3,600.
Deputies investigating the scene found a half-drank plastic Mountain Dew bottle, records show. The bottle was submitted to the Washington State Patrol crime scene, which determined Willhite’s DNA was present.
The arrest warrant was issued for Willhite, who was initially tracked to Whitman County, records show.
Investigators also began checking records to see if the items were brought to a pawn store.
They turned up in the records as being pawned by Lloyd Willhite, 72, at Pawn One in Spokane, records show. The store sold the items in June.
Records did not show the connection between Shawn Willhite and Lloyd Willhite. And neither man had been located as of press time.
Records show the younger Willhite has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for possession of a controlled substance, assault, burglary, robbery, vehicle prowling, theft and reckless endangerment.
Roger Harnack is the owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. Having grown up Benton City, Roger is an award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher. He's one of only two editorial/commentary writers from Washington state to ever receive the international Golden Quill. Roger is dedicated to the preservation of local media, and the voice it retains for Eastern Washington.
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