Bank robbery suspect arrested at Shadle Walmart

Spokane police arrested a man Sunday evening suspected of robbing two area banks.

Timothy J. Lamere, 53, was taken into custody at about 6 p.m. in a Walmart at the Shadle shopping center at 2301 W. Wellesley Ave., police said in a news release. He was identified by a loss prevention officer who called police.

Lamere is accused of robbing a Washington Trust Bank at 27 E. Indiana Ave. on July 6, when officers say he entered the bank, implied he had a weapon, and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Then on July 17, according to the news release, police say he robbed a US Bank inside Albertsons at 6520 N. Nevada Street in a similar fashion with a physical description that matched the suspect in the Washington Trust robbery.

Lamere has just one prior felony arrest in Spokane County, according to court records. In 2005 he was accused of criminal trespass. The charges were dismissed a year later.

Police are recommending a charge of first-degree robbery for the July 6 incident. Further charges could be forthcoming.