In brief: FBI searching for serial bank robber

The FBI has taken over the search for a serial bank robber who has hit at least 12 banks in the Northwest since January, including three heists in Spokane.

At 12:40 p.m. Friday, the suspect robbed a Wells Fargo inside the Safeway at 1616 W. Northwest Blvd., Spokane police Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said. Authorities have dubbed him the “Grocery Store Bandit.”

He is black with an athletic build in his late 20s or early 30s, according to an FBI news release. He is 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-4, and possibly has a facial mark on his right cheek.

The FBI said he uses hats or wigs to change his appearance and may have had a weapon in one robbery.

His other Spokane bank robberies include the Washington Trust Bank at 3810 N. Maple St. on March 26, and the Farmers and Merchants Bank at 933 E. Mission Ave. on May 19, DeRuwe said.

Davenport

Car crashes after man loses consciousness

A Davenport man lost consciousness, and later died, while driving south on state Route 25 on Friday. His wife, who was riding in the passenger seat, had to reach over and steer the 1995 Buick off the road, according to a Washington State Patrol report.

Charles L. Neihart, 89, was dead upon arrival at a Davenport hospital, the report states.

His wife, Beatrice, 85, was not injured in the 11:20 a.m. crash. She turned off the Buick’s engine before reaching a curve, locking the steering wheel and sending the car 75 feet off the highway 13 miles north of Davenport, the report states.

A WSP dispatcher said the man had an unknown medical problem, and the cause of death was not known late Friday pending an autopsy.

Compiled by Nick Eaton