For the week of April 9 - 15, 2003

Car thief trades up in Ketchum robbery

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

A 29-year-old Emmett man allegedly swapped SUVs in Ketchum last week, leaving behind a stolen and broken-down 1996 Chevrolet Tahoe with stolen government plates and driving off with a freshly pilfered silver 2001 GMC Yukon.

The Yukon, owned by Ketchum resident Stoney Burke, was packed with enough cash, traveler's checks and luggage for a trip to Europe, said Ketchum Assistant Police Chief Mike McNeil.

"We tell people all the time, do not leave your keys in your car, and this is the reason why," McNeil said.

According to McNeil, Larry F. Spargo of Emmett abandoned the Tahoe at Ketchum Automotive on Tenth Street in Ketchum on April 1 after the business’ owner began investigating the vehicle’s U.S. Forest Service license plate and vehicle identification number, which did not match.

Ketchum Automotive owner Pete Cantor said Spargo had asked to have repair costs charged to the Forest Service. What he probably didn’t count on was the routine telephone calls following such a request, Cantor said.

Police believe Spargo, upon learning about the auto shop’s curiosity, abandoned the Tahoe and stole Burke’s Yukon from in front of a Second Street office. The vehicle was packed, and keys were in the ignition.

Cantor said Spargo was a cool customer.

"He just looked like a normal guy," Cantor said. "He was very relaxed."

McNeil said police are sure Spargo is the man who abandoned the stolen Tahoe at Ketchum Automotive. They do not have proof, however, that he stole Burke’s vehicle. But the events appear to be more than coincidence.

McNeil explained that while Ketchum Automotive secretary Theresa Clark was trying to get authorization for repairs from the Forest Service, Fargo apparently overheard her conversation.

"We suspect, we’re not positive, but we suspect he went looking for another vehicle to get out of town with," McNeil said. "So, within a 30-minute period of time, he managed to steal another vehicle."

Law enforcement agents told McNeil that Spargo stole the Tahoe from a used car lot in Ada County by simply driving away with it. He allegedly disguised the vehicle by mounting any one of several stolen license plates that were found in the vehicle at Ketchum Automotive.

Spargo is also wanted in Boise on two outstanding warrants for battery and one outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court, McNeil said.

Cantor, a former Ketchum police officer, said there is a lesson in last week’s crime spree for local residents.

"We just are complacent," he said. "We just don’t think it’s a big deal to leave our keys in our cars. This isn’t 30 years ago, small-town Ketchum. We have to worry about the same things metropolitan people do."

 

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