Third drive-thru robbery ends in chase, search

Police detained a man and a woman after the third drive-thru robbery in three days Thursday evening, but say they’re not sure if the man they caught is the one who committed the most recent robbery at the Shadle McDonald’s. “I believe there is one more person of interest we are looking for,” said Spokane Police Lt. Craig Meidl. A McDonald’s customer called police around 6 p.m. to report the robbery. The suspect was described as a white man wearing a black ski mask, dark hoodie and blue jeans. The man got into a silver pickup and fled. “They followed the pickup for a short while before losing it,” Meidl said. Officers spotted the truck a short time later. It accelerated away for a couple blocks before stopping in the 1800 block of West North Ridge Court. The woman stayed with the truck and a man ran away. The man was located at a nearby apartment complex. Meidl said a baby was in the truck at the time and is now with relatives. The two people detained will be interviewed before determining if they will face any charges. The robbery is similar to the Wednesday drive-thru robbery at the Wendy’s near Northpoint and the Tuesday robbery at McDonald’s on Monroe near Francis. Investigators will try to determine if they are connected, Meidl said.