News story linked to robbery, extortion claim

A Spokane man is accused of threatening another man at gunpoint after he was refused service because of a newspaper article linking him to car theft, documents say.

Jon R. Fischer, 37, is in jail on first-degree robbery and first-degree extortion charges after a man who operates a car stereo installation business out of his home in the area of 4000 N. Cannon said Fischer stole his car at gunpoint and demanded money on April 21.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Fischer asked a man identified in documents as K. Aiken to install car stereo equipment, then became irate when Aiken told him to leave because he “recognized Fischer from a newspaper article as being involved with stolen vehicles and property.”

“You think you’re better than me?” Fischer said before returning wo hours later with a gun and demanding $5,000, according to the affidavit.

“Aiken was fearful for his safety and for the safety of his son,” the affidavit says. “He believed Fischer was high on drugs.”

Aiken gave Fischer his keys, then called friends and learned Fischer’s name and discovered his car was at the Lyon’s Crest apartments.

Police found it there and checked it for fingerprints. Aiken identified Fischer from a police montage.

Fischer was picked up on unrelated warrants about a week later and appeared on the robbery and extortion charges Friday. A felon with car theft convictions in at least five Washington counties, Fischer’s bond is at $50,000.