In brief: Man arrested in theft
A man suspected of robbing a computer store Wednesday was arrested after the Spokane police SWAT team showed up at his hideout Thursday.
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.
Three arrested in robbery plot
It could have been the perfect robbery, but the plan was foiled when one of the alleged co-conspirators panicked.
Lyle L. Allstot, 25, Julianna Y. Terry, 23, and Brittney L. Smith, 18, have been booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges of second-degree theft, said Spokane police spokeswoman Jennifer DeRuwe.
The robbery occurred Saturday at Maid O’Clover at Francis Avenue and Pittsburg Street, DeRuwe said.
DeRuwe said the lone clerk, Allstot, had conspired with his friend, Terry, to steal money from the business. Allstot and Terry enlisted the help of another friend, Smith, she said.
Smith, dressed in dark clothing and armed with an Airsoft handgun, entered the store to “rob” Allstot, said Detective Jerry Hensley. Allstot had deliberately kept extra money in his till. Smith took $859, “hit” Allstot on the head, and fled, DeRuwe said.
The incident was captured on store video surveillance.
But after leaving the store, Smith panicked, shedding the clothing and leaving the money and the gun, according to a Spokane police news release.
Man suspected of dealing meth
Authorities are seeking a man suspected of dealing meth, and Secret Witness is offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.
Benjamin Lee Hoffman, 26, is wanted on suspicion of moving meth after police reportedly found drug scales and a pipe in his possession when they stopped him for not wearing a bicycle helmet in February.
Hoffman’s last known address is 707 N. Monroe Ave. in Spokane. He is 5-foot-11, weighs 145 pounds and has brown hair and hazel eyes, according to the release.
The Secret Witness Tip Line is (509) 327-5111.
Sex offender moves to Spokane
Spokane police has issued an alert on a level 3 sex offender released from prison May 28.
William E. Davis, 52, served 20 years for lewd conduct with a minor and has admitted having sexual contact with 15 to 20 other girls, according to a police news release.
His most recent conviction came after he had sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl with the mental capacity of a 4-year-old. He has also been convicted of sex crimes with minors dating back to 1977, according to the release.
Davis is living in downtown Spokane and has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5-foot-4 and weighs 150 pounds. He is under no agency supervision, the release said.
From staff reports