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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Officers say body is missing man’s

A body found in the Fairwood area of north Spokane on Monday is believed to be that of Edward R. Kelly, who has been missing since Dec. 22.

The 66-year-old had gone on a walk in that area, authorities said.

The body was spotted over an embankment about 100 yards from a parking turnout off Fairwood Drive west of Mill Road, said Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Attempts to find Kelly after he went missing were unsuccessful.

A Dec. 26 search by Spokane search-and-rescue involved 45 trained searchers and another 15 volunteers.

Two deputies were checking the popular trail Monday when they found the body.

Searchers had likely walked past the spot, but had not seen the victim due to heavy snowfall in December, Reagan said.

The Spokane Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the body, but authorities were confident the remains were Kelly’s.

Spokane Valley

Walgreens thief nets painkillers

A robber wearing fuzzy gloves escaped a Spokane Valley Walgreens pharmacy with OxyContin on Sunday after threatening two clerks with a pistol.

The robber is described as 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds, in his 20s, with short brown hair and a mustache, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane Valley police spokesman. In addition to gloves, the robber was wearing a black scarf, a white hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.

The robbery occurred about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

The man entered the store at 15510 E. Sprague Ave. and ordered one of the pharmacy clerks to her knees while the other retrieved the pain pills, Reagan said. The man put the drugs in a Walgreens shopping bag and fled.

Witnesses told police the man drove off in a white sport utility vehicle parked behind a nearby snow berm, Reagan said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (509) 242-8477 or (509) 456-2233.

Spokane

Gunman strikes store twice

A north Spokane convenience store robbed at gunpoint Sunday had been a target of the same crime three days earlier.

No one has been arrested for the robberies of the Northwest Foodmart at 5611 N. Driscoll St., police said.

“Based on the suspect’s description, both robberies appear to have been done by the same person,” said Spokane police Officer Brian Eckersley.

The first incident occurred Thursday, Eckersley said. The store was hit again about 7 p.m. Sunday.

Each time the man pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money.

The robber was described as in his early 20s with a medium build and facial hair, Eckersley said. The man wore dark clothes and white shoes. He used a ski mask to cover his face.

No one was hurt in either incident, police said.

Jody Lawrence-Turner