One gunman sought in 2 robberies

One man may be responsible for two gunpoint robberies at northeast Spokane stores this month, Spokane police said today.
Police think the same shotgun-wielding man robbed Empire Foods Dec. 11 and the Divines convenience store Dec. 1.
The robber is described as a Hispanic or light-skinned black man who wore a dark hooded jacket, dark gloves and a face mask with white symbols or patchwork that create a skull print on the mask. He used a black shotgun and was seen leaving in a red mid-1990s Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco after the Divine’s robbery.
“These are brazen robberies …

One man may be responsible for two gunpoint robberies at northeast Spokane stores this month, Spokane police said today.

Police think the same shotgun-wielding man robbed Empire Foods Dec. 11 and the Divines convenience store Dec. 1.

The robber is described as a Hispanic or light-skinned black man who wore a dark hooded jacket, dark gloves and a face mask with white symbols or patchwork that create a skull print on the mask. He used a black shotgun and was seen leaving in a red mid-1990s Chevrolet Blazer or Ford Bronco after the Divine’s robbery.

“These are brazen robberies that have included threats to the employees and a ‘take over’ mentality,” according to a news release. “His behavior is likely to become more brazen with the possibility of harm to an employee or himself increasing.”

Police haven’t said if they believe the man also is involved in a robbery at the Advance America cash store, 4011 N. Market Street, Tuesday night. One of the men pulled the cashier to the back of the store and fled out the back door with cash while the other forced the customer to the ground as she screamed, then ran out the front door.

The same store was robbed earlier this month.

Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call 911 or Crime Check at (509) 456-2233 or the Spokane police at (509) 625-4211.