Video Store Robbery Suspect May Be Tied To Seven Other Holdups Deputies Examining Possible Links To Valley, North Side Robberies

A 27-year-old Spokane man who police suspect of robbing at least eight businesses in the past month is in jail.

Erik Dodson was charged Thursday with first-degree robbery in connection with the Aug. 6 holdup at Fantastic Video, 1014 S. Perry. The robber in that incident threatened to kill the owner and his wife if they didn’t give him money.

Witnesses led police to Dodson, spokesman Dick Cottam said. He had been at the Spokane County Jail for the past few days on an unrelated warrant but was about to be released when the robbery count was filed, Cottam said.

Dodson has been identified by witnesses in seven other cases: two robberies at the Qwik Stop on East Francis, one July 25 and the second Aug. 7; two robberies at the Subway restaurant at 24 W. Third, on Aug. 5 and Aug. 21; an Aug. 6 holdup at Senor Froggy’s on North Division; an attempted robbery at the Back in the Doghouse pet store, 903 E. Hoffman, on Aug. 8; and a robbery at the 7 Eleven on North Maple on Aug. 13.

Sheriff’s deputies are considering whether Dodson was involved in several recent county holdups in the Valley and on the far North Side as well. His photograph will be shown to witnesses of those robberies next week, Cottam said. Additional charges may follow.

Dodson has a long criminal record that includes 11 convictions for robbery, possession of stolen property, theft and probation violations.

, DataTimes