Video: Masked toothless burglar suspect

Police believe the shotgun-toting robber who wore a military-style gas mask at Sunset Market in November is suspected toothless burglar Shawn Michael Westlie.

Westlie, 44, is on this afternoon’s Spokane County Superior Court first appearance docket for two counts of first-degree robbery, along with his alleged accomplice, Victor A. Hackett.

Shoe prints, surveillance video and detective work led police to identify Westlie, 44, as a suspect in at least nine armed robberies, police said Tuesday.

Westlie was arrested after a SWAT team standoff Friday at 2109 W. Mansfield Court, one day after a man returned to his Nettleton Avenue home to find a toothless intruder police believe was Westlie rifling through his belongings.

Westlie allegedly tried to Taser the man but dropped the weapon and lost a shoe when he fled.

A police dog tracked the burglar to the home across the street from where Westlie was arrested Friday.

“We’re ecstatic,” said Lt. Dave McGovern. “He would have just kept right on going and going until he hurt somebody or somebody hurt him.”

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