Bar Manager Accused Of Imprisoning Women

FROM FOR THE RECORD (Friday, April 5, 1996): The manager of Sarah’s Post Street Bar and Grill was arrested about 3 a.m. Tuesday. A story in Thursday’s newspaper listed the wrong day because of incorrect information from the Spokane Police Department.

The manager of a downtown Spokane bar and grill is accused of imprisoning two women before police rescued them early Wednesday.

Matthew T. Sutherland, 38, was arrested about 3 a.m. after police received two 911 hang-up calls from Sarah’s Post Street Bar and Grill, 111 N. Post. He was taken into custody on two counts of unlawful imprisonment and one second-degree assault charge.

Sutherland, who gave his address as 12114 E. Cataldo, was released Wednesday evening from the Spokane County Jail.

Sarah Van Eps, the bar’s owner, refused to comment Wednesday.

The two women, whose identities were not made public, told police Sutherland closed the bar about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and all three began to drink.

By 2 a.m., Sutherland began to make “sexual suggestions” to the two women, then refused to let them leave the locked business, according to police.

Sutherland apparently assaulted one of the women, who suffered an injured ankle, police said.

One woman tried to call 911 but was forced to hang up, police said. Police responded but got no response when they knocked at the door.

After a second 911 hang-up call, police again went to the bar. This time, one of the women kicked a glass panel at the entrance. Police smashed the glass and entered the bar. Police then took Sutherland into custody.

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