Gunman Demands Money After Woman Cashes Check

A man watched a woman cash a check at a Spokane Valley business Monday night before he and at least one other man robbed her at gunpoint in her car.

The men escaped with an undisclosed amount of cash, said sheriff’s deputy David Reagan. Neither the 27-year-old victim nor her friend were injured during the 5:30 p.m robbery.

She told deputies a red or burgundy car blocked her car as she tried to pull out of ther parking lot at Check Point Check Cashing, 12510 E. Sprague.

The man who had watched the woman cash the check then got out of the car and ran to the driver’s side window. He pointed a chrome-colored revolver at her and demanded money while a second man stood next to the passenger-side door, Reagan said.

After the woman gave the gunman a blue jacket with money in the pocket, the two men left in their car. The car was described as a late-1970s model, possibly a Plymouth Duster, with a loud exhaust. There appeared to be other men waiting inside the car, deputies said.

Two of the suspects were described as light-skinned black men in their early to mid-20s.

The gunman was about 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds. He was wearing a black or dark-blue baseball cap and a dark-colored knee-length coat. The gun he was carrying was a short-barreled .38 or a .357 caliber, deputies said.

Deputies described the second suspect as 5-9, 200 to 220 pounds and muscular. His hair was braided in rows and small “locks” or braids were secured on top of his head with a red rubber band. He was wearing a black sweat shirt, black denim jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information about the robbery or the suspects is asked to call Crime Check at 456-2233.

Purses snatched

Deputies warned residents to watch their purses closely after two women recently had their handbags stolen when they turned away from their shopping carts at Valley stores.

The purses were stolen from carts at Fred Meyer, 15609 E. Sprague, and at an undisclosed Albertson’s store.

Deputy Laurie Johnson said reports of purse snatchings typically rise during the Christmas season because thieves suspect women are carrying extra cash or credit cards to buy gifts.

Women should carry their purses rather than putting them in a shopping cart, Johnson said.

She advised victims of purse snatchings to immediately cancel their lost credit cards and report stolen checks to their banks.

, DataTimes