More Petty Thieves Taking A Turn To Violence Threefold Increase In Grab-And-Bash Crimes ‘A Sign Of Our Times’

There was a time when thieves at convenience and grocery stores in Spokane just grabbed things and ran.

But now, according to police, more and more are stopping on their way out to beat up clerks or intimidate customers.

“It used to be a guy would run in, grab a couple of six-packs or a 12-pack of beer or a couple cartons of Marlboros, and hot-foot it out,” said police spokesman Dick Cottam.

“Now, instead of a snatch-and-run thing, they’re hitting people.”

Lt. Jerry Oien said police are seeing almost three times as many violent thefts today as three or four years ago. Grab-and-bash crimes now occur about twice a month, Oien said.

“It seems to be a sign of our times,” he said.

Authorities say it’s a costly problem in which everyone loses - police, prosecutors, victims and perpetrators.

By assaulting someone, the thieves commit a more serious crime, Oien said.

“What was a misdemeanor - third-degree theft - is elevated to felony - second-degree robbery,” he said.

That puts more strain on an already burdened justice system, Oien said. Detectives must spend more time investigating the crimes and prosecutors must devote additional time to preparing their cases.

In addition, the criminals face longer stretches behind bars.

Most importantly, Oien said, people are getting hurt, some of them seriously.

Last October, a clerk at Super 1 Foods on East 29th Avenue was knocked unconscious and broke his ankle in a fight with a shoplifter and his accomplice, according to court records.

Police said 18-year-old Colin Charles O’Malley had grabbed two packs of cigarettes and a case of beer and walked out of the store without paying.

O’Malley began fighting when the clerk and another employee gave chase. The teenager’s accomplice, Ryan L. Howe, joined in the melee and knocked the victim out with a hard punch, police said.

The 37-year-old man needed surgery on his ankle and missed a week of work, said Jeff Warren, store manager.

O’Malley recently pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery. He was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution and fines.

Howe is awaiting trial.

“It was an isolated incident for us, but it is nice that the police are doing something about it,” Warren said.

Police warn clerks and customers to be on the lookout for violent thieves. Don’t confront them, they say, but get a physical description and call police.

“Many of these people, when faced with someone with authority, seem to feel the need to resist that authority,” Oien said. “That can be dangerous.”

Authorities are warning violent thieves that they’re cracking down on such cases and intend to prosecute them as felonies.

“Hopefully, when the word gets around that it is more serious than just taking a case of beer or a carton of cigarettes, it will end,” Oien said.

, DataTimes