In brief: Police say suspect targeted elderly

A 19-year-old man accused of robbing an 88-year-old woman is suspected of targeting four other elderly women.

Jonathan R. Crisler was charged Wednesday with Isaac J. Murphy, 19, for a string of purse snatchings between March 17 and March 19.

In each case, an elderly woman was followed home from the grocery store and attacked.

Crisler was arrested March 19 with Andrey A. Murray, 20, after a motorist witnessed Crisler running with the 88-year-old victim’s purse near the 3600 block of North Washington Street before getting into a green Pontiac driven by Murray.

Police believe the men used the stolen cash to buy OxyContin.

Crisler is charged with four counts of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery.

Murphy is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted second-degree robbery, and Murray is charged with second-degree robbery.

Idaho Fish, Game gets new director

Veteran wildlife manager Virgil Moore will be the new director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Moore, 59, is the current deputy director for field operations at Idaho Fish and Game and will replace Director Cal Groen, who is retiring.

Moore has 34 years of experience in wildlife management. Before taking his current position in 2007, he worked as the director of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He was hired by Oregon Fish and Wildlife in 2006 but returned to Idaho after less than a year for family reasons.

Moore was selected from a field of six finalists for the position.

Moore has held numerous executive management positions within Idaho Fish and Game, including fisheries bureau chief and information and education bureau chief. He has a master’s degree in zoology from Idaho State University and a bachelor’s degree in biology and education from Northwest Missouri State University.

Home invader robbed couple

A man at the door of a Spokane Valley home pushed his way into the residence and robbed a couple in their 60s, police said Thursday.

The robber knocked on the couple’s door about 8:45 p.m. on Tuesday, asked for someone named Steve, and then forced his way inside demanding money.

The robber pushed the husband over the couch and grabbed the wife’s purse and ran out. The purse contained credit cards and other items.

Officers and a K-9 team checked the area, but were unable to find the man, described as white, in his mid-20s, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-10 and unshaven with dark hair and dark eyes. He was wearing a brown hooded sweatshirt and khaki-colored pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Robbery suspect cites heroin, family

A man suspected of robbing three Spokane convenience stores told police he was an unemployed heroin addict with a family to support, according to court documents.

Joseph D. Maine, 23, was arrested Wednesday for robberies Saturday at Mike’s Grocery, 2025 N. Hamilton St., and at Zip Trip, 2005 N. Hamilton St., and the Broadway Mini Market, 10304 E. Broadway Ave., on Sunday.

The victims on Sunday reported seeing the butt of a handgun in the robber’s waistband.

Maine told friends he robbed the stores because he needed money to pay bills, police say. The robber at Mike’s Grocery reportedly told the clerk “Sorry, bro. Gotta pay the bills,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

A tip led police to Maine, who told officers he used a BB gun during the robberies.

Police seized a black Daisy BB gun from a home where Maine was staying in the 3800 block of South Bowdish Road.

Police also found drugs in Maine’s jeans and noted in the affidavit that Maine asked them to “remove used needles from under his daughter’s mattress.”

Fairchild taking input on rail line

Public comments are being accepted on a Fairchild Air Force Base plan to remove a stretch of rail line that crosses its main gate.

The base says no negative impacts to the environment, nearby residents or future uses of the West Plains military installation have been identified, but it is inviting public comments under the National Environmental Policy Act. Copies of the environmental assessment can be found at the downtown branch of the Spokane Public Library, the Airway Heights public library and at the base’s website, www.fairchild.af.mil.

The 15-day comment period opened Wednesday.

Slated for removal is about two miles of metal rail line that borders U.S. Highway 2 and crosses the base’s main gate.