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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man pleads guilty to rape, kidnapping

Compiled from staff reports The Spokesman-Review

A man pleaded guilty Wednesday to raping and kidnapping a woman who was closing a Spokane Valley bar.

Gary Wayne Austin Jr., 26, will face a 12-year minimum sentence under a plea bargain approved by Superior Court Judge Linda Tompkins, said John Love, Spokane County deputy prosecutor.

Austin was at the Corner Club Tavern, 2208 N. Park Road, most of the evening of Aug. 12, court documents say. When an employee began closing the bar about 2 a.m., Austin grabbed her from behind and forced her to the floor, court records say. The woman struggled, but Austin asked her if she wanted to die and raped her, court records say.

Austin ordered her to open the cash register and stole about $1,200, according to court documents. He then demanded her keys, tied her wrists with a shoelace and walked her to her car.

While driving to Coeur d’Alene, Austin raped her in the car, records say. He continued driving toward Missoula, but eventually told the victim that he was sorry for what he had done.

Austin turned around and drove her back to the Corner Club, documents say. Deputies were there, so he got out of the car about a block away and fled.

Austin was soon found at his father’s room at the nearby Red Top Motel.

Austin, who had an Alaska driver’s license, pleaded guilty to first-degree rape, second-degree kidnapping and second-degree assault. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 11.

Under a state law for serious sex offenders, a parole board will determine if Austin is released after he serves his minimum sentence.

Two cars hit, kill pedestrian on U.S. 395

A pedestrian attempting to cross U.S. Highway 395 near Deer Park early Wednesday died after he was hit by one car and run over by another.

“The pedestrian never should have been out here,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Mark Baker said.

The pedestrian, Frank G. Flores, attempted to cross the highway about 4:40 a.m. from the west side of the road, Baker said. Flores, 67, was hit in the southbound lanes.

The two drivers, Kennewick resident Michael W. Mulvaney, 41, and Spokane resident Frank E. Pelkie, 20, were not injured.

The southbound lanes of the highway were closed until about 9 a.m. The crash remains under investigation, but citations are not expected to be issued, troopers said.

Suspect in Brewster stabbing, rape arrested

A man wanted in the brutal stabbing and rape of a 16-year-old girl has been apprehended, the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office reported.

Brewster, Wash., resident Crescencio Nava-Victorino, 28, was arrested Sunday in Riverside County, Calif., Sheriff Frank T. Rogers said in a press release.

He is accused of raping a girl and stabbing her several times near Brewster. After escaping her attacker, the victim walked a quarter mile covered in blood before she reached a home to ask for help, the release said.

Nava-Victorino is being held in California, awaiting extradition to Washington.

He is expected to face charges of attempted murder, rape and kidnapping.

Spokane Valley candidate forum tonight

Citizens can learn more about the people running for Spokane Valley City Council at a candidate forum tonight.

The League of Women Voters is holding the forum in the basement meeting room of the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main Ave., at 7 p.m.

The county auditor will mail absentee ballots for the Nov. 8 election by Oct. 21.

Public input on future city park pools sought

An citizens’ advisory committee for Spokane parks wants to hear from the public about any future development of pools and spray-pool features in the city.

The first of two public meetings will be tonight at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson Elementary School cafeteria, 3612 S. Grand Blvd. A second public meeting will be on Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Downtown Library, 906 W. Main, in the first-floor meeting room.

The committee is looking at the possibility of developing a series of new pools, including a water park with several newer-style play features, to replace Spokane’s aging outdoor pools.

Residents can learn more about the pool plans by attending one of the two public meetings.