In brief: Man arrested in robbery
A man suspected of robbing a computer store Wednesday was arrested after the Spokane police SWAT team showed up at his hideout Thursday afternoon.
At about 3:30 p.m., police located a stolen Jaguar convertible – the robber’s getaway car – outside a house in the 2600 block of North Martin Street in Spokane, Officer Shawn Pegram said. Nobody responded when officers knocked on the door, so authorities called in the SWAT team and requested a search warrant. The SWAT team arrived at about 4:30 p.m., but just before detectives served the warrant, Ronald Jorgenson surrendered and was arrested, Pegram said.
The 46-year-old Jorgenson was charged with first-degree robbery and first-degree possession of stolen property, including at least one computer and the Jaguar. The convertible was returned to its owner, Pegram said.
Spirit Lake
Free seminar for home buyers
The Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a free home buyers seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday in the 1908 Building, 6147 Maine St., across from Spirit Lake Treasures and Farmers Market.
The seminar will feature representatives from real estate, title, mortgage and insurance companies, as well as a home inspector. Call (208) 255-1901 to reserve a seat.
Pocatello, Idaho
Man sentenced for bilking couple
A federal judge has sentenced a Las Vegas man to nearly four years in prison in a fraudulent investment scheme that duped a Rexburg couple out of $4 million.
Raymond E. Chasten, 62, was ordered Tuesday to spend 46 months in prison, pay more than $819,000 in restitution and $38,000 in fines.
Chasten was convicted by a jury last fall of one count each of wire fraud and interstate theft.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chasten told Roger and Sybil Ferguson, former owners of Diet Center, that he had millions of dollars in an overseas account that needed to be brought into the United States. He then told the victims that their investment of $4 million, coupled with his contribution of $6 million, would enable the transaction to take place.
Instead, Chasten transferred the money to another bank account and used it to buy the Fergusons’ $2.4 million home and $800,000 helicopter, prosecutors said.
From staff and wire reports