Robbery suspect allegedly stabbed woman who pursued her

A Spokane woman who allegedly stole a woman’s purse and stabbed a witness who tried to detain her is now facing robbery and identity theft charges. Police arrested Wenona Gent, 38, on Tuesday after officers identified her as a suspect based on surveillance footage taken from the Dec. 28 robbery at the Yoke’s Fresh Market at 210 East North Foothills Dr. According to court documents, officers believe Gent grabbed a woman’s purse from her shopping cart. When the shopper yelled that her purse had been taken, another woman in the store chased Gent outside and tried to grab the purse back. Gent then allegedly stabbed her pursuer in the shoulder and fled with the shopper’s wallet, which she had removed from the purse. The witness required stitched to close the wound. Police said Gent tried to use one of the victim’s checks at the Coeur d’Alene Casino several days later. She was arrested on charges of armed robbery, identity theft and possession of methamphetamine, and remains in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail.