Man arrested, accused of narcotics robbery

A man armed with a rifle reportedly locked an employee and a resident of Guardian Angel Homes in Liberty Lake in a room after stealing a bag of narcotics at 2 a.m. Wednesday. The assisted-living facility is across the street from the Liberty Lake Police Department.

Liberty Lake police Officer Mike Thomas and two Spokane County sheriff’s deputies responded within one minute, according to a press release from police Chief Brian Asmus. They spotted a man walking in a field nearby and saw him throw something under a parked car, Asmus said. The man, identified as 28-year-old Timothy J. Martinez of Spokane, was arrested.

A bag of drugs and what appeared to be an assault rifle with a laser sight were found under the car. The rifle turned out to be an Airsoft rifle that had been modified to look more realistic, Asmus said.

According to the employee, Martinez came inside the facility, pointed the rifle at her and demanded narcotics. The resident walked in on the robbery, Asmus said. Neither one was hurt during the incident.

Martinez used to work at Guardian Angel Homes and the car where the drugs and gun were found is registered to Martinez, Asmus said.

Martinez was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree armed robbery, possession of a controlled substance and two counts of first-degree kidnapping.