Spokane woman sentenced for burglary

GRAND COULEE – A Spokane woman was sentenced to 150 days in jail after pleading guilty to burglary and theft charges related to a break-in at a storage facility in Grand Coulee.

Linda Ann Zargoza, 40, was identified as the driver of a gold 2006 Chevrolet HHR seen on surveillance footage during a burglary at State Route 174 Storage Units on Dec. 7, 2021.

Judge Dan Johnson handed down the sentence, rejecting a lower-end sentencing request. Prosecutors had recommended three months in prison and dismissed multiple counts against her as part of a plea deal.

"We worked out that she would plead guilty," Zargoza's defense said in court.

Authorities said property owner Valerie Jess called the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 11:57 p.m. on Dec. 7 to report a burglary. Surveillance footage showed a suspect vehicle, later identified as Zargoza's Chevrolet HHR, with a male passenger unloading items from storage units. Officers responding to the scene attempted to stop the vehicle, but Zargoza fled at high speed.

Investigators later identified storage unit owners who reported missing items, including two large rugs valued at $200 each and a three-piece "Buffalo Hunt" ink drawing estimated at $900.

On Dec. 16, authorities contacted Zargoza, who denied involvement and claimed she had lent the vehicle to her sister, Linda Zaragoza. However, Officer Matt Gilbert of Grand Coulee Police later confirmed Zaragoza was the driver during the burglary and had used Zargoza's name when stopped by police.

On Dec. 24, officers executed a search warrant on the Chevrolet HHR, impounded at the Soap Lake Police Department. Inside, they found a bill of sale dated Dec. 3, 2021, stating that Zargoza had transferred ownership of the vehicle to Zaragoza-five days before the burglary. Investigators also discovered documents linked to Zaragoza inside the vehicle.

Zargoza's defense argued that she had been in the wrong company and sought leniency. "She tells me she's only involved in this case because she was hanging out with the wrong people," her attorney said. "She will stay away. She is a mom. She doesn't want to be in a situation like this."

In court, Zargoza expressed regret.

"I wish we had time for do-overs, but this is not so," she said. "I soon realized that I needed rest, and God gave me rest. I just want to go home and be reunited with my family."

Judge Johnson, citing Zargoza's criminal record, declined a reduced sentence.

"I see a four-time convicted felon; most of these are property thefts," Johnson said. "I do not see you fit for the low end of sentencing."

Zargoza was sentenced to 150 days in jail.

Author Bio

Olivia Harnack, Managing Editor

Olivia Harnack is the award-winning managing editor/photographer/videographer/columnist at the Lincoln County Record-Times, with offices in both Davenport and Odessa, Wash. She is a University of Idaho graduate and a U.S. Army National Guardsman.