Generosity Thwarts Robbery At Motel

Sat., Nov. 28, 1998

From Staff

A clerk at a downtown Spokane motel thwarted a robbery Thursday night by offering the would-be bandit her coat and food instead of cash, police said.

Minutes later, police arrested Michael C. Roberts, 22, for second-degree attempted robbery.

Roberts walked into the Rodeway Inn, 827 W. First Ave., about 6:45 p.m. and asked for the price of a room, police said.

He then told the clerk he didn’t have enough money, said he had a gun and demanded cash, police said.

The clerk said she told Roberts she had no access to money and offered her coat and some food. She said he left empty-handed.

Officers arrested Roberts near a service station at Second and Lincoln.

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