Man Suspected In Rash Of Robberies
A man arrested two weeks ago for robbing a Spokane Valley convenience store also is suspected of holding up more than a dozen businesses in the past four weeks.
Donald E. Gunstrom, 41, has been held in Spokane County Jail on a first-degree robbery charge since being arrested Aug. 14 at his home in the 3700 block of East Ninth. His bond is $25,000.
Sheriff’s deputies first arrested Gunstrom on charges he robbed the Zip-Trip at 10304 E. Broadway.
The robber pulled a nylon stocking over his face, threatened the clerk with a gun, took some cash and ran.
Police and sheriff’s deputies say they now have identified Gunstrom as the man who committed other armed robberies: at another Zip-Trip, a Jackpot on East Sprague, a Cenex Service Center on Northwest Boulevard and several other businesses.
Police arrested another man, Erik N. Dodson, on Friday in connection with holding up Fantastic Video, 1014 S. Perry. Dodson is a suspect in a series of seven similar robberies.
Dodson is being held at the jail on first-degree robbery. His bond is $50,000.
Police and sheriff’s deputies say Dodson and Gunstrom are responsible for most of the more than 24 armed robberies in the last month.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo