Masked man robs Valley store of cash, cigs

A man in a black ski mask robbed a Spokane Valley convenience store Sunday night. The man covered his hand with his sleeve to open the door of Sam’s Stop and Shop, 11505 E. Sprague Ave., then tossed a bag to the employee and whispered a demand to fill it with cash and cigarettes, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of each. No weapons were displayed. The robber was last seen walking westbound on Sprague toward North Bowdish Road. A sheriff’s K-9 search was unsuccessful. The culprit is described as a white man, 20 to 30 years old, 6-feet tall, 180 pounds, and wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. Detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.