Robbery suspect fakes deafness during arrest

Sat., June 24, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

A suspected robber failed to fool police by pretending to be deaf Wednesday.

Earlier that night, a woman was dropping off a night deposit bag from a fast-food restaurant at the Bank of America, 8505 E. Sprague Ave. A man ran up to her, grabbed the bank bag, and fled to the west, Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan said.

Police found Rueben James Carlton in the area, but the victim could not identify Carlton.

Carlton, 22, indicated to the officer that he was deaf, imitating the voice of someone who couldn’t hear, Reagan said. He wrote a false name and birth date on a sheet of paper, but no records existed for that person, Reagan said.

While searching Carlton to see if he had any stolen money, officers found a drug pipe and some marijuana.

An officer asked Carlton if he was being truthful about his name. Carlton then answered he was being honest, but used his normal voice.

The officer arrested Carlton, and also found he had an outstanding warrant for third-degree theft. Carlton was booked into the Spokane County Jail on the warrant, as well as new charges of marijuana possession and making false statements to an officer.

The bank bag and contents were not found, and the robbery is under investigation.

Police find meth in baseball cap

A man was arrested Wednesday after he let some methamphetamine go to his head – literally.

Ricky L. Wehrli, 39 of 616 N. Cochran, was arrested when he tried to hide a baggie of methamphetamine in the headband of his baseball cap, said Spokane Valley Police spokesman Sgt. Dave Reagan.

Wehrli was riding with 33-year-old Eric M. Ross when Ross was pulled over for having a suspended driver’s license, Reagan said.

Ross received a citation for driving on the suspended license and because he had defective tires. But Wehrli was booked into jail after a search of Ross’ car found Wehrli had hidden some meth in his ball cap and placed it in the car, Reagan said.

Wehrli faces a count of drug possession and also had a warrant out for driving on a suspended license.

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