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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Man robbed while looking for prostitute

A man looking for sex with a prostitute was robbed of his cash after soliciting women on East Sprague Avenue in Spokane last weekend, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

Jessica N. Shelton, 22, and Joel M. Arevalo, 19, were arrested on first-degree robbery charges Saturday after Rodney G. Tongue said Arevalo attacked him after he approached Shelton and another female, whose name was not released because she is a juvenile, for sex, according to the Spokane Police Department.

Tongue said he believed the women were prostitutes, and they agreed to walk behind a dumpster at a gas station at 3602 E. Sprague to discuss "a prostitution deal," according to a probable cause affidavit.

Arevalo knocked Tongue to the ground, knocking out his hearing aid, then left with Shelton, the juvenile and Tongue's $20. Police helped Tongue find his hearing aid. Officers located the three suspects at East 3rd Avenue and South Freya Street, and Tongue identified them in photo line ups.

Arevalo told police he devised the plan to rob Tongue with Shelton and the juvenile. Shelton said Arevalo gave her the money and they bought Camel cigarettes and five cans of Blast, an alcoholic energy drink by Colt 45, which police photographed as evidence.
 



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