August 9, 2009 in City

Deputies find robbery suspect all tied up

From Staff Reports The Spokesman-Review

A 25-year-old man picked the wrong Whitman County house to prey on Friday night.

Instead of walking away with a wallet, Sean A. Lee, of Lewiston, was tackled and bound with zip ties and rope by his would-be victims and left in the middle of the street for police.

Whitman County sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in the 200 block of Main Street in LaCrosse about 6 p.m.

Larry Garrett said Lee came to his home and said he was out of gas, and asked to borrow some fuel or money. While Garrett went to fill a gas can, Lee allegedly stole the man’s wallet. When he returned with the gas, Garrett noticed his wallet was gone.

When confronted, Lee tried to flee, pulling a knife, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was then tackled and tied up by Garrett, Garrett’s brother and other visitors.

After admitting he took the wallet, Lee was booked into the Whitman County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery, residential burglary and third-degree theft.

While officials don’t encourage vigilante justice, Deputy Keith Cooper said “I find it a bit refreshing when our criminals are already under arrest and cuffed up for us when we arrive.”