Assailants in superhero masks tie up and rob Spokane Valley residents

A super hero thief revealed his secret identity this morning during a home invasion robbery and was quickly arrested. But his slip up may not have mattered: K9 Laslo followed the robbers’ scent - and three sets of tracks in the snow - to a nearby home. Two men were tied up with duct tape and robbed in their Spokane Valley home in the 11000 block of East Third Avenue this morning by three men wearing super hero masks. One of the residents said he was punched and pushed to the ground by one of the robbers when he answered a knock at the door around 4 a.m., according to court documents. Numerous items were taken, including a television, computer, cell phone and wallet. The victim told police that he recognized one of the robbers and knew where he lived. One of the other men removed his mask briefly, which allowed the victim to identify him to police. The men were tracked to a home in the 100 block of North University Road. The three suspects were found inside along with all the stolen items, according to police. Thirty-two-year-old Robert Burke was arrested along with Joshua Elmgrem, 26, and Derek Sczenski, 32. All three face charges of first-degree robbery and unlawful imprisonment. A cash bond of $5,000 was set for Burke during a court appearance Wednesday. Elmgrem and Sczenski have not yet appeared in court.