Police trying to match shoe to fleeing suspect

Spokane Police are waiting for the other shoe to drop. No, really.

Detective Tim Madsen released the photograph of a shoe Wednesday that investigators believe was dropped by a fleeing home-invasion burglar as a homeowner shot at him the day after Christmas, police spokesman Dick Cottam said.

The homeowner, who lives on West York Avenue, told police that he heard a noise about 4:45 a.m. Dec. 26. The homeowner grabbed his pistol and went to investigate, Cottam said.

Near the rear of the house, the homeowner encountered what he described as a large man holding a baseball bat. The burglar yelled “He’s got a gun” and started to run from the home, Cottam said.

The homeowner told police that he fired a single shot at the fleeing bat-wielding man but was unsure whether the bullet connected, Cottam said.

Officers responded and found a small amount of blood on broken glass near the rear door, which had been smashed in to gain entry. Officers could not determine whether the blood came from the bullet hitting the burglar or the burglar cutting himself on the glass, Cottam said.

Officers searched the area near the home and found a distinctive shoe, which investigators believe belongs to the fleeing burglar. They also found a baseball bat behind the home, Cottam said.

Detective Madsen hopes someone will recognize the shoe, which is black with imitation snake skin and has a listed brand name of “Avirex.”

Asked why the department waited nine days before asking help from the public, Cottam said, “That’s the detective’s decision. He just asked me to put this shoe out and see if anybody would recognize it.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Secret Witness at 327-5111. A reward is being offered for information that solves the case. Callers do not have to give their own name to be eligible for the reward.