Ex-Employee Suspect In Restaurant Robbery

When a 17-year-old former employee entered Sonic Burrito last Friday, he apparently was looking for more than a quick bite, according to Spokane police.

The ex-employee, whose name was not available, asked his former co-workers at 2622 East 29th for a burrito, then pulled out a gun and asked for the money in the till as well, said police spokesman Dick Cottam.

The woman working the register told police she thought the teen was kidding until he grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and left.

Employees at Sonic Burrito declined comment.

The suspect has not yet been arrested, Cottam said.

Man arrested after assault

A man was arrested Saturday night after being accused of assaulting another man at the Cucina Cucina Italian Cafe downtown.

A patron told officers that a man confronted him in the bathroom, grabbed him by the throat, slapped him, and slammed his head against the wall. The officers on scene observed marks on the victim’s neck and a bump on his head, said Cottam.

The injuries did not require medical treatment, Cottam said.

The victim told police that the suspect claimed he had been “disrespected.”

There were no witnesses to the incident, Cottam said.

Raymond C. Marks, 36, who gave an address of 1210 E. 17th, was booked into jail on an assault charge.

Five dogs stolen

A South Side woman says her dog, Lacey, was one of five stolen from her Underhill Park neighborhood over the past week.

When she originally found her dog missing Thursday, Kim Edgerton searched her property for clues to her pet’s disappearance. All she found, she said, were the tags from her dog’s collar.

It looked as if they’d been ripped off, she said.

Since then she has canvassed the area, posted fliers and filed a police report. While searching, she said she has been approached by four other neighbors who say their dogs are also missing.

Lacey is a 3-year-old collie mix, with dark red and golden red fur and white on her tail, feet and chest. When last seen she was wearing a purple collar.

Anyone who has seen Lacey, has any information as to her whereabouts, or has had their own dog stolen within the past week from the area around Underhill Park is asked to contact Edgerton at 535-0373.

Black powder ignited on playground

Sheriff’s deputies suspect that black powder ignited at Moran Prairie Elementary School June 13 is likely a prank.

There was no note or threatening phone call.

Investigating Detective Earl Howerton cautioned that he still does not know the intent of whoever caused the explosion and is actively investigating the incident.

Bomb squad investigators from the Sheriff’s Department determined that black powder commonly used for reloading shotgun shells was used for the explosion. Several large cans for black powder and shotgun shell primers were found near the blast site.

“What we’re looking for now is someone who has a reloading room in their house,”said Howerton. They may have found black powder missing, he said.

The explosion occurred on the school playground and caused no damage to school property.

After the incident, Principal Marilyn Highberg sent school parents a letter explaining what occurred. She asked that parents “be vigilant and united to keep our children and their schools safe.”

Anyone with information on the explosion is urged to call Crime Check at 456-2233.