Security-Camera Installers Help Police Nab Robbery Suspects

Two men were arrested Thursday on suspicion of robbing a north Spokane grocery store, thanks partly to security company employees who got the suspects’ license plate number.

William M. Callahan, 41, and Jose M. Mendoza, 35, were arrested soon after the robbery at 3:40 p.m. at Grocery Boys, 3430 N. Crestline, Spokane police Lt. Jim Nicks said.

One of the men, armed with a knife, demanded money from a clerk, police said. Once he had the money, the robber went outside and got into a car where another man waited. The two drove off.

Employees from H.T.I. Video Security Co. were installing security cameras in the store at the time of the robbery. They saw the robber get into the car, and ran up to the car and pulled a cover off the license plate to read it.

Then, they reported the number to police. Minutes later, Detective Dennis Walter stopped the car on North Hamilton.

As Walter waited for backup officers, he tried to arrest both men. Callahan tried to run but was taken into custody nearby by other officers. Mendoza didn’t resist arrest.

, DataTimes