Police: Man threatened tire shop clerk with knife, stole car

A 62-year-old man was arrested Friday after witnesses said he threatened a downtown auto shop employee with a knife and sped through a garage door. Francis Klozar was booked into Spokane County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery and malicious mischief around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Witnesses said Klozar, who has no other felony criminal history, brandished a large sheath containing what they believed was a knife and saying he needed his car. An employee told police Klozar, who frequents the Troy’s Tires shop at 817 W. Third Ave., dropped his car off for $1,000 worth of repairs Thursday. When he arrived Friday around 2:15 p.m., he handed over just $150, and the employee told Klozar they would not be releasing his car. Another worker attempted to call 911 when Klozar pulled out the sheath, according to court documents. Klozar held the sheath to his neck, saying he wasn’t going to call anyone, the employee said. Klozar grabbed his keys then drove his car through a shop door, witnesses said. Police arrested him sometime later. Prosecutors have asked for a bail of $5,000. Klozar is expected to make a first court appearance this afternoon.