Landlord beaten, robbed

Spokane Valley police detectives are seeking anyone who can help them solve what was reported as a home-invasion robbery in which a landlord was assaulted by two masked assailants.

Valley officers were called about 11 p.m. Sunday to the apartment complex at 10101 E. Main St. The property manager, 56-year-old Joe Adams, told Officer Griffen Criswell that he answered a knock to his door when two men confronted him, Detective David Thornburg said in a press release.

Adams said the men backed him into his kitchen. The assailants wore bandannas, stocking caps, dark clothing and gloves

One of the men grabbed Adams in a chokehold and forced him to his hands and knees. The second punched and kicked Adams while demanding money.

Adams told the men where to find rent money he had just collected and his wallet. The suspects took the money, smashed Adams’ cell phone, unplugged his land-line phone and fled, Thornburg said.

Since the assailants knocked off Adams’ glasses, he did not get a good description of the men’s car, which he described as a small station-wagon-type vehicle with a boxy rear end.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office or Spokane Valley Police Department at (509) 242-TIPS (8477).