5 Felonies Precede Man’s Next Trial Convictions Come A Week Before Trial For 5 Armed Robberies In ‘93

A man who faces trial next week for five Spokane-area holdups and a bungled sixth attempt was convicted Monday of five unrelated felonies.

Ryan D. Bartlett, 25, was found guilty of residential burglary, second-degree robbery, two counts of vehicle theft and attempting to elude an officer.

He was convicted by Superior Court Judge Harold Clarke, who reviewed police reports after the defense and prosecution agreed to the facts of the Feb. 16, 1993, incident.

The procedure allows Bartlett to preserve his appeal rights, which he would have waived with a guilty plea.

Deputy Prosecutor Jack Driscoll said Bartlett stole a truck from Dave’s Tire Service and drove it to a home on North Sunderland in the Spokane Valley.

Bartlett broke into the home and stole tools and video games before he was surprised by the homeowners who returned.

After briefly hiding in the home, Bartlett confronted the homeowners and demanded money and their car keys.

The second stolen vehicle was spotted by a sheriff’s deputy, who gave chase.

After a pursuit at speeds of up to 70 mph, Bartlett wrecked the car near 16th and Oberlin.

Bartlett, who wasn’t seriously hurt, later was released from jail on bond, but failed to appear for trial later in 1993.

In November and December of that year, he is suspected of pulling five armed robberies.

On Dec. 4, 1993, he and Danny W. Clark are alleged to have attempted to rob a bartender at the Phase II Tavern, 4824 E. Sprague.

Authorities said Bartlett was armed with a crowbar and Clark with a handgun.

After shots were fired by one of the robbers, the bartender pulled his own handgun and shot Clark in the head, critically wounding him.

Bartlett fled the scene, but was identified and later arrested in Chelan County.

Clark has recovered and is scheduled to stand trial next Monday with Bartlett.