Police See Link Between Heists On East Trent Businesses On Edge After Two Similar Robberies

An armed robbery ring appears to be operating on East Trent Avenue, targeting busy restaurants for brazen raids.

Two times during the past five weeks, four men wearing ski masks and brandishing shotguns and pistols burst into businesses on East Trent and robbed cash registers while customers huddled on the floor.

Sheriff’s Capt. Don Manning said Wednesday he thinks the two robberies - one of which took place Tuesday night - were pulled off by the same men.

“It sure looks that way,” Manning said.

Spokane police and sheriff’s department officials are considering forming a task force to investigate the crimes.

Tuesday’s robbery took place in the city; the other in the county.

“When the first one happened, we talked with city police and said we’d jump on it right away if one happened in the city,” Manning said. “We’re taking this very seriously.”

Tuesday’s robbery occurred about 7:20 p.m. at the Chinese Gardens restaurant, 5207 E. Trent. The bandits rushed in waving guns, ordered customers onto the floor, then demanded money from cashiers in the restaurant and bar, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

They grabbed the cash and fled to a waiting car, which sped north on Airport Street.

Witnesses said the robbery lasted no more than a minute. No one was hurt, and police wouldn’t say how much money was taken.

The heist was strikingly similar to one at the nearby Valley-Ho Inn, 6412 E. Trent, on March 8.

In that Friday night incident, four heavily armed men wearing ski masks raided the tavern just after 11 p.m. They ordered customers to lie on the floor, then grabbed about $1,000 from the till and the patrons’ wallets before fleeing.

No one was hurt in that robbery, either.

“Certainly, they’re very brazen, no doubt about that,” said Lt. Jerry Oien of the police department’s major crimes unit.

Business owners in the area said Wednesday they hope authorities crack the cases quickly.

Bryn and Melanie Jones, owners of Mel’s Grub & Suds Saloon at 6520 E. Trent, said the crimes have been unsettling.

“There’s been a lot of talk about it up and down the street,” Bryn Jones said. “Especially with the customers.”

He’s heard some of his patrons brag that they would confront the robbers. “Someone’s going to get hurt,” he said. “It only takes one guy trying to be a hero.”

The Joneses said they hope an alarm system at their business and bright floodlights in their parking lot will keep the robbers away.

Down the street at the Town & Country Restaurant, owner Jerry Schrader reacted to Tuesday’s robbery with resignation, but said he’s determined not to let it get him down.

“It’s sad, but it seems like it’s just a sign of the times,” Schrader said. “But what are you supposed to do - close your doors? We’ve all got businesses to run.”

Schrader said he hopes his silent alarm system will deter the robbers from hitting his restaurant.

If it doesn’t?

“The best thing to do is keep your cool and give them what they want,” Schrader said. “That way, no one gets hurt. Money can be replaced. Human life can’t.”

, DataTimes