Washington Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested

Tue., Aug. 31, 1999

From Staff

The Washington Trust Bank at 717 W. Sprague was robbed Monday afternoon and a suspect was arrested a couple of hours later, according to the Spokane Police Department and the FBI.

A man wearing camouflage clothing entered the bank and demanded money at 1:35 p.m., police said. He did not have a weapon. Money was put on the counter and the suspect picked it up and left, police said.

One of the officers recognized the man and authorities found him at the Otis Hotel at First and Madison. “He was counting money” when he was found, said FBI Special Agent Norm Brown.

Michael W. Scherz, 39, of Spokane, was charged with one count of federal bank robbery.

A majority of the money was recovered, authorities said.

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