In brief: Three suspects taken in beating, robbery

Members of the Spokane gang task force served two search warrants Thursday, hoping to find eight people believed responsible for a beating and robbery last month.

The Spokane Violent Crime Gang Enforcement Team served warrants at about 8 p.m. at 1818 E. Fifth Ave. and 1911 N. Napa St., said Spokane police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe. As of 9:30 p.m., police had two women from the Fifth Avenue home and a man from the Napa Street home in custody and were looking for five other suspects.

The case stems from an incident last month in which a 29-year-old man was beaten by eight people and robbed of about $20,000 in jewelry.

In custody Thursday night were Monica R. Sanders, 32, Tasha M. Tensley, 26, and Roderick J. Thomas, age unknown.

All three face charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree assault and felony riot. Thomas is also charged with trafficking in stolen property.

Hikers found after hours-long search

Four hikers were found early Thursday following a four-hour search in Liberty Lake Regional Park, Spokane sheriff’s deputies said.

A 65-year-old woman and three boys ages 5, 8 and 11 were found in good condition at 12:45 a.m. after spending four hours in the cool night air.

During the search, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office helicopter – Air One – was menaced by a laser beam repeatedly pointed into the cockpit of the aircraft, forcing the pilot to leave the search area.

Deputies pinpointed the source of the laser beam and went to a Liberty Lake residence where they arrested a 16-year-old boy for first- degree unlawful discharge of a laser, deputies said.

Meanwhile, searchers from Spokane County Search and Rescue, the county parks department, the Sheriff’s Office and Liberty Lake Police Department scoured the area to find the hiking group.

Citizens direct police to car theft suspect

A man convicted of car theft last week is back in jail after police say he led them on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle Wednesday night.

A police K-9 tracked Tyray H. Munter, 23, after police say the convicted felon abandoned the car in the area of North Stone Street and East Francis Avenue after fleeing a police stop near North Crestline Street and East Empire Avenue at 11:10 p.m.

Police ended the search after less than two minutes because Munter was driving dangerously, according to a news release. Citizens told police what direction he’d fled.

Munter was booked into jail on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude police.

He pleaded guilty Aug. 25 to second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission and use of drug paraphernalia and was credited for 43 days served in jail, records show.