Gunman arrested at Valley Starbucks

A deputy responding to a report of a suspicious character at a Spokane Valley Starbucks arrested an armed man Friday after “a knock-down, drag-out fight,” police said.

Employees of the Starbucks at 6630 E. Sprague, on alert because of an armed robbery at the coffee shop several weeks ago, called 911 at about 7 p.m. to report a suspicious man who entered and re-entered the store without ordering anything.

Responding to the call, Deputy Mark Brownell noticed that the man had a cocked pistol in the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt. When the suspect reached for the gun, police said, Brownell struck him and disarmed him. A fight ensued.

The employees called 911 again to report that an “officer was down,” but by the time supporting officers arrived, Brownell had the suspect under control.

Arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail was Matthew S. Pennucci, 27, of 14118 E. Longfellow, a convicted felon prohibited from having firearms. Police said Pennucci also was in possession of methamphetamine.