In brief: Robber pleads guilty to home invasions
A serial robber pleaded guilty in Spokane County Superior Court on Friday to charges stemming from a series of armed home-invasion robberies.
David Fredrick Smith, 41, pleaded guilty to numerous charges including several counts of first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary, and one count of second-degree assault, for the rash of robberies committed this year.
As part of a plea deal, the state recommended the court dismiss weapon enhancements, which would run consecutively. Smith will receive a strike under Washington’s three strikes law.
Sentencing has not yet been set.
Smith was arrested in June for robbing a home in the 1600 block of West Spofford Avenue on May 31 and was later tied to additional crimes.
Among other robberies, police say Smith and Flint Fire Herrmann are responsible for robbing a home in the 1900 block of West 26th Avenue on May 29, when a woman woke to find them pointing a gun at her face and demanding heroin. However, they apparently had the wrong house.
Hit-and-run leads to arrest of felon with gun
Spokane police arrested a man Thursday after a hit-and-run crash and short chase.
Detective Bill Marshall was northbound on Monroe Street just before noon when he saw a gray pickup truck and a small blue car that appeared to have been involved in an accident. When he approached, the driver of the pickup fled the scene.
After a short pursuit, Marshall and some patrol officers caught up with the truck, which police say was driven by convicted felon Joseph Travis Sizemore, 33.
Officers found a .22-caliber bullet, a .22 revolver and an unspecified quantity of methamphetamine. Investigators discovered the gun was recently stolen in a West Lyons Avenue burglary.
Sizemore is charged with possession of a stolen firearm, second-degree felon in possession of a firearm, hit-and-run and possession of a controlled substance. He is held in the Spokane County Jail on $20,000 bond.
Circling Raven hosting Idaho candidate forum
Residents of Benewah and Kootenai counties can meet candidates for the Idaho Legislature and local offices at a forum Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Stensgar Pavilion at the Circling Raven Golf Course in Worley.
Hosted by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the event will include candidates for legislative districts 3 and 5 plus sheriff and commissioner for Benewah County.
Volunteers will be available at 5 p.m. to help people register to vote. Absentee ballot request forms will also be available.
The forum is free and open to everyone. For information, call (208) 626-5803.