Man’s case sent to major crimes

The case of a 73-year-old man whose car was found in southwest Washington five days after he went missing in Spokane has been transferred to the major crimes unit, Spokane police said.

James F. Ehrgott was last seen July 7 eating dinner around 5 p.m. at the Sportsman Café and Lounge on North Market Street, according to a Spokane Police Department news release. His vehicle was found July 12 in Lewis County; a person unknown to Ehrgott’s family was driving the gold Pontiac Sunfire.

“They believe foul play was involved,” Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said.

Spokane police are assisting the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Ehrgott is 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes, and he wears prescription eyeglasses.

Police ask that anybody who knows or has seen the man call the Spokane Crime Reporting Center at (509) 532-9266 during business hours or call 911 after hours.

Spokane Valley

Valley woman may face charges

Criminal charges could be filed against a Spokane Valley woman who investigators believe shot her husband Saturday before turning the 9mm semiautomatic pistol on herself.

Both are recuperating from the gunshot wounds and were listed in satisfactory condition in separate hospitals.

Although the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department was continuing Monday to withhold their identities, The Spokesman-Review has learned that the victim is Mike Long, who suffered a bullet wound to his side. His wife, Roberta Long, reportedly suffered self-inflicted bullet wounds to her chest and head during the Saturday morning encounter at 1111 N. Locust Road.

Police believe the 52-year-old woman was angry that he decided to move out of their Spokane Valley apartment, sheriff’s Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

Stanley, Idaho

Search for hiker scaled back

A weeklong search for a missing hiker in the Sawtooth Mountains has turned up no sign of the man and volunteers are scaling back their efforts.

Jon Francis, the son of Minnesota state Senate candidate David Francis, disappeared July 15 after venturing out on his own to climb Grand Mogul, a 9,733-foot peak near Redfish Lake.

“After a week conducting this search of Grand Mogul peak and its rugged terrain, we are exhausted,” sister Robin Francis said in a statement from the family. “Everything humanly possible has been done in the search for Jon. We are at peace. And the Francis family wants everyone to be at peace and proud of the incredible efforts contributed to find Jon.”

From staff and wire reports