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

Abduction Claim Under Investigation Couple Say Incident Began Near Colville, Ended In Spokane

Gita Sitaramiah Staff Writer

A Stevens County couple told authorities they were abducted from their home by an armed gunman, then left in a Spokane restaurant parking lot after the gunman drove off in their car.

Spokane County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Kehl said the victims’ stories differ somewhat. As a result, authorities aren’t certain the abduction occurred. But the reported crime is being investigated.

Late Monday, Stevens County sheriff’s deputies were searching the couple’s home for evidence.

Kehl wouldn’t release the names of the victims at their request. Spokane County authorities drove the couple to the county line, where a Stevens County detective was expected to pick them up for more questioning.

About 6 p.m., the victims called police from the Country Cousin Barbeque on North Division.

Deputies interviewed them at the restaurant for more than an hour.

Here’s what the couple said happened, according to Kehl:

The woman was at their home near Colville when the gunman snuck in wearing army fatigues about 2:30 p.m. She had left a door unlocked.

The gunman kept her in the house until her husband arrived.

The gunman then kept him at the house, but sent the woman to the bank to withdraw cash. When she returned, she and her husband were forced into their green 1994 Toyota 4Runner. Her husband was forced to change clothes with the gunman, who put on a pair of jeans, a plaid shirt and military boots.

The couple drove with the gunman to the Country Cousin.

At the restaurant, the gunman left the couple in the parking lot, ordered them not to call police for 15 minutes, then drove off in their vehicle.

Sgt. Kehl said the robber displayed a rifle and two handguns. In addition, he stole two handguns from the couple’s home.

The gunman is described as white, 5-foot-6, with a mustache.

, DataTimes