Suspect sought in assault, theft

Spokane police are looking for a suspect in a Saturday night assault and car theft on the North Side. A 22-year-old woman ran into the lobby of the North Division Cinemas, 7410 N. Division, about 10 p.m. A man with a knife in his hand chased her but ran when confronted by several witnesses, police said. The victim identified the attacker as Gary L. Stoddard, 29, her former boyfriend. She had a restraining order against Stoddard and told police said he had just been released from jail. She said they met Saturday night, and when she drove him to his mother’s house at his request, he refused to leave the car. He then pulled a knife and threatened her, she told police. Stoddard allegedly forced her to park behind a Dumpster at the movie theater and threatened her again. She ran from the car and into the theater lobby. He left the area in her car - a green 1994 Saturn SL. It has a Washington license plate: 440 FSJ. The victim had several small cuts on her forehead, police said. Stoddard is described as white, 5 feet 11 inches tall, with brown hair and eyes.