Spokane Man Admits String Of Robberies
A Spokane man confessed Monday to a string of robberies that ended when his cohort was shot in the eye and critically wounded.
Ryan D. Bartlett confessed to five Spokane armed robberies during a three-week period in late 1993 and to attempting a sixth holdup.
The 25-year-old robber offered no explanation for his conduct and didn’t dispute details of the robberies, described in court by Deputy Prosecutor Jack Driscoll.
Bartlett’s friend, convicted murderer Danny W. Clark, was shot in the head by a bartender during the bungled attempted robbery of the Phase II Tavern, 4824 E. Sprague, on Dec. 4, 1993.
The two were scheduled to stand trial on Monday, but Bartlett changed his mind. He pleaded guilty to five counts of first-degree robbery and one count of attempted firstdegree robbery before Superior Court Judge Robert Austin.
Clark, who lost his eye in the shooting but recovered, is expected to plead guilty later this week.
Last week, Bartlett was convicted in a non-jury trial of five other felonies, including residential burglary and second-degree robbery.
Still unresolved are charges Bartlett faces for possessing drugs and third-degree assault from other incidents.
The prosecutor said Bartlett faces a range of 13 to 16 years in prison when he is sentenced for the robberies. That range is increased two years because a deadly weapon was used in the holdups.
The sentence he gets for the other five, unrelated felonies could be imposed consecutively.
Driscoll said he likely will seek an “exceptional sentence” which calls for a term beyond the standard sentencing range.
In the first robbery, on Nov. 11, 1993, Bartlett and another man entered Diaper Time, 3010 N. Crestline, where they robbed a woman of her rings and purse. They told her they were “sorry for the inconvenience,” Driscoll said.
On Nov. 23, 1993, the same two men robbed The Highlander, 4717 N. Crestline, escaping with a small amount of money.
Three days later, the pair hit Frontier West restaurant, 2121 N. Division.
Driscoll said one robber who displayed a handgun ordered the manager to pull his pants down around his knees and get under a desk.
The fourth holdup occurred on Nov. 28 at Bill’s Laundry, 910 W. Indiana, when two robbers wearing wigs tied up an attendant. As he was being tied up, the victim made references to the Bible and assured them they’d eventually be saved.
The following day, the pair robbed the Grocery Boys, 3430 N. Crestline, escaping with a small amount of cash in a pillow case.