In brief: Alleged robber caught with meth, police say

Spokane police have arrested Daniel Drake, 39, on charges of robbing two local businesses this week.

Drake allegedly robbed a coffee stand, the Java Hut, on 540 E. Francis Ave. on Tuesday, and the North Nevada Albertsons on Wednesday. In both cases, Drake indicated he had a weapon and would hurt the employees if they didn’t give him money, police said.

Police arrested Drake at the Royal Scot Motel and booked him into jail on two counts of first-degree robbery Thursday. Police found money and methamphetamine in the room, according to official documents.

Otis Orchards woman faces Medicaid fraud charge

An Otis Orchards care provider is accused of defrauding Medicaid of $30,000.

A release from the Washington attorney general’s office said Chanell Robin Flock has been charged in Spokane County Superior Court with one count of first-degree theft and two counts of making a false statement to obtain a Medicaid payment.

She is accused of billing for $30,000 in Medicaid services that were not provided for three patients under her care.

A spokesman from the attorney general’s office said the woman is not a medical professional but was contracted through the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Developmental Disabilities to provide basic services like feeding and looking after people with disabilities.

The spokesman said Flock has no criminal history. The maximum penalty for the theft charge is 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.