A man suspected of robbing an east Spokane bank this week was arrested Thursday after police said he appeared to be staking out a different bank.

Douglas E. Labish, 34, is accused of robbing Banner Bank inside the Safeway grocery store at 933 E. Mission on Monday, escaping with about $1,650, according to court documents.

Labish, who police said lived at the House of Faith homeless shelter, spent time in federal prison for robbing three banks in 2002 - including an old bank located at the same location where Banner now is.

Labish's mother called police Tuesday and said she recognized her son from a surveillance photo of Monday’s robbery, according to a search warrant. That photo is posted above.

Before police could arrest Labish today on a first-degree robbery warrant, employees at Banner Bank in the Safeway at 3919 N. Market reported someone matching the robber’s description pacing in front of the store about 4 p.m.

Police found Labish in the parking lot and arrested him for first-degree robbery and attempted first-degree robbery.

Bank employees said Labish claimed in a note to have a gun but never displayed one.

Previous story: Transient held in 3 bank heists

---

---