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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two arrested Friday on robbery charges

The Spokesman-Review

Deputies say a 16-year-old was beaten and robbed of $10 near Argonne Road and Boone Avenue Friday.

Two teenagers were quarrelling at a residence in the 700 block of North Argonne when the 16-year-old left with a friend, Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said in a news release.

A 17-year-old suspect and Michael A. Ford, 21, caught up to them in a car.

Police say the younger suspect began punching the 16-year-old and demanded his wallet while Ford held back the victim’s friend.

The younger male was treated for bruises and a broken nose and told police the assailants fled after taking $10.

The 17-year-old was arrested on a first-degree assault charge, Reagan said, and Ford was arrested on a charge of being an accomplice to first-degree robbery.

Laser play leads to felony charge

Spokane Valley Police hit the deck during a traffic stop last week after seeing what they thought was a gun’s laser sight pointed at them. The beam turned out to be from a laser pointer.

About 10 p.m. April 18, two deputies stopped a driver in the 12000 block of East Mansfield when one of them noticed light from a laser pointed into the patrol car where one of them was sitting, according to a release from Sgt. Dave Reagan.

They told the driver to leave and took cover before confronting two men in a nearby apartment.

Police said they found Christopher William Hance, 30, holding a laser pointer, and he told them he was playing around.

In Washington, though, pointing a laser at an officer on duty is a felony, and Hance was arrested and booked into jail, Reagan said.

Crook, copper on lam together

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office deputies are looking for someone they believe stole $1,500 worth of copper wire from B&E Electrical in Millwood last week.

The owner of the business at 9012 E. Grace Ave. told deputies that some time between 4:30 p.m. last Thursday and the next morning a thief cut two holes in a security fence large enough to accommodate spools of the wire.

Police say thefts of copper and aluminum increase with the scrap price for those materials. Anyone with information on metal thefts is encouraged to call 242-TIPS.

Woman flees Costco with DVDs

A Spokane woman went to jail Thursday evening after she tried to steal more than $300 worth of DVDs from Costco on East Sprague Avenue.

Henrietta Allice Lynne, 34, tried to sneak past store employees with a purse full of stolen DVD movies, Sgt. Dave Reagan said. Wynne refused to stop for employees, instead fleeing to her car, throwing movies over her shoulder as she ran.

Employees then blocked Wynne’s car from leaving its parking spot until a Spokane Valley Police officer arrived.

Wynne refused to leave her car when the officer arrived, and had to be forcibly removed by an officer.

Wynne was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a charge of felony second-degree theft.

Gunman robs Qwik Stop

A man armed with a black handgun robbed the clerk at the Pines Qwik Stop about 9:20 p.m. Monday while one accomplice stood by inside the store and a second stood watch outside.

The store is at 115 S. Pines Road.

The clerk described the armed suspect as a white male about 30 years old, 5 feet 4 inches tall and 140 pounds. He had black hair and was wearing a white T-shirt and faded blue jeans. The second suspect inside also was a white male who was 5 feet 10 inches tall and 160 pounds. He had black hair, a skinny build and was wearing a blue T-shirt and torn jeans. The lookout in front of the business was a black male who wore dark clothing.

The three suspects ran to the east and got into a white car. The clerk was unable to provide a better description of the vehicle. However, a neighbor saw a white Dodge Neon or Geo Metro drive east from the store about the same time. He was unable to describe the occupants.

No one was injured. Anyone with information is asked to call 242-TIPS.