Man With Machete Arrested For Robbery

FOR THE RECORD: Tuesday, April 18, 1995 CORRECTION: A Spokane woman arrested for first-degree robbery last week does not live at 609 E. Wellesley, according to residents and their landlord. Betty Sebastian, 35, gave that address to police and jail guards.

A man who stole money from a transient in a downtown alley and swung a machete at Spokane police Tuesday is in jail.

James P. Chandler, 51, was drunk when he robbed a man behind the House of Charity on West Main, police said.

Several firefighters from Station 1 across the street said they saw Chandler swinging the weapon at someone in an alley.

Police ordered Chandler and a female companion to put their hands in the air. Chandler showed the machete and started waving it at the two police officers, who drew their pistols.

The officers told Chandler several times to drop the weapon, which had an 18-inch blade. He finally did, but refused to move away from it.

Police spokesman Dick Cottam said Chandler told the officers to shoot him. Instead, one officer moved behind Chandler, pinned his arms to his sides, forced him into a brick wall and handcuffed him.

Chandler was taken to Deaconess Medical Center, treated for a cut on his face and taken to jail, Cottam said.

Betty Sebastian, 35, was with Chandler during the attack and also was booked for first-degree robbery. She gave her address as 609 E. Wellesley.

The victim was uninjured. Police said both suspects and the victim were very drunk.