In brief: Man’s body found in Spokane River
Police are investigating the Sunday morning discovery of a man’s body that was seen floating down the Spokane River.
The body, that of a white man apparently in his 50s, became pinned against a metal gate in front of an Avista pumping station downtown in Riverfront Park. Workers retrieved it by using a boom crane.
An autopsy is planned and police said they will release the identity of the body today.
– John Stucke
Euthanization planned for monkey
A macaque monkey once blamed for hurling feces at federal agents is going to be euthanized and tested for rabies.
The animal, named Chico, harassed the federal agents when they came to its owner’s home in 2005 to investigate a Spokane-based Internet operation selling fake diplomas. Chico got into trouble again on Feb. 28, when it escaped and bit three people. Since then it’s been held at an animal shelter.
Larry Jecha, acting head of the Spokane Regional Health District, said that because the monkey bit three people, it has to be tested for rabies, and there’s no way to test for rabies without killing it.
– Associated Press
Suspects arrested in robbery spree
Police have jailed two suspects in a string of convenience store robberies.
The first robbery happened at 10:20 p.m. Saturday at the 7 Eleven store at 325 W. Indiana Ave. Forty minutes later there was a stickup at the Zip Trip Station at 909 N. Division St.
A little later, at 1:59 a.m. Sunday, police were called to a robbery at the Texaco Station at 2202 N. Monroe St., where the clerk pepper-sprayed the suspect.
Descriptions of the robber matched at all three locations.Within a few minutes of the Texaco crime, a police officer spotted a dark blue Pontiac Grand Am – the same vehicle described by witnesses leaving the scene of the robberies – as it sped south on Washington Street near the Spokane Arena.
After a short car chase, police arrested Spokane residents Connie A. Canova on suspicion of robbery, and eluding police. Also arrested was Richard M. Ellman on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery.
– John Stucke
Couple hit tree on snowmobile
A Portland couple riding a rented snowmobile on Mount Spokane crashed into a tree, setting off a brief nighttime search by rescue crews.
A pilot flying the Spokane County Sheriff Office’s helicopter spotted the couple when they used the flash of their camera as a signal device. Their coordinates were radioed to searchers on the ground who brought them to an ambulance.
The couple suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from Holy Family Hospital, sheriff’s officials said.
– John Stucke
Fire destroys home in northwest Spokane
Five residents were left homeless Saturday when their northwest Spokane home was damaged by fire.
Spokane firefighters were called to the home at 4610 N. Maple about 6:30 p.m. When crews arrived, heavy smoke was coming from the one-story house. Fire was contained to the basement area near the furnace, where it appeared combustible items had been stored, fire officials said.
There was heavy smoke damage to the home, and two adults and three children were assisted by the American Red Cross.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
– Staff reports