Second Man Arrested In Grocery Store Heist

A second man was arrested Monday for the armed robbery of a Spokane Valley grocery store on March 12, Spokane County Sheriff’s spokesman Dave Reagan reported.

Jeffrey Paul Goodlake, 21, of 18618 E. Grace, is charged with first-degree robbery and unlawful imprisonment for his role in the heist at Excell Foods Store, 14515 E. Trent, Reagan said.

A second man, Benjamin Charles Fisher, 20, was arrested in August for his role in the incident. He has since pleaded guilty to the crime and is in Spokane County Jail.

Goodlake, who worked at Excell at the time of the incident, is accused of unlocking the store’s front door to allow Fisher, his friend, inside, Reagan said.

Once inside, Fisher was said to have forced Goodlake and another employee to an office, where the other employee was bound and gagged, Reagan said.

At the time, Goodlake told deputies that the robber forced him to open the safe and cigarette counter.

But detectives believe he was in on the plan, Reagan said.

The robbers stole cash and about 100 cartons of cigarettes.

Goodlake still was employed at Excell at the time of his arrest.