Robbery, assault suspects still sought

Three months after two men robbed a Spokane Valley apartment manager at his home while he counted receipts, police haven’t made an arrest.

Sept. 19, Secret Witness offered a $1,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrests of the assailants, who are believed to be black.

The victim was inside his apartment at 10101 E. Main Ave. and was counting rent receipts July 3. Shortly before 11 p.m., two black males confronted the victim at his door. According to the victim, the men said they had guns and would kill him if he didn’t hand over his money.

The suspects forced their way into the apartment. One of them held the victim in a choke hold while the other took several thousand dollars in cash. The suspects also took the victim’s birth certificate and passport. During the robbery, one of the men punched the victim in the side and also struck him in the face, injuring his eye.

The victim said both men were about 6 feet tall and weighed 190 pounds.

Anyone with information about this residential assault and robbery should call the Secret Witness Tip Line at 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect the cash reward, but should leave a code name or number with the operator.

Shop conned out of $200

A Spokane Valley business was nipped by an advertising scam.

Pearl Vision on North Sullivan Road gave a man $200 Sept. 19 on the promise that advertising for the business would be posted inside a local Fred Meyer store.

The suspect said the advertising would help locate missing children via “Operation Lookout.” When the ads never appeared, the manager called Fred Meyer managers and learned that they knew nothing about the matter. A phone call to a number provided by the suspect appears to be bogus.

Last year, several businesses were bilked out of cash by a suspect claiming to sell advertising in local school sports schedules.

Police advise businesses to contact the Better Business Bureau to check out any charity before buying in.

Woman charged in Wal-Mart theft

A Spokane Valley woman arrested Sept. 19 at Wal-Mart for allegedly stealing video game accessories told police the items went over well in pawnshops where they’re traded for cash.

Michelle L. Ho-Gland, of 4206 N. Starr Road, was cited for shoplifting after store security employees chased her down and called Spokane Valley police. Police say Ho-Gland told them the payout for game accessories was closer to their actual value than most other items pawned.

Security officers said they watched as Ho-Gland walked through the electronics department, selecting multiple numbers of electronic games and other accessories and placing them into her shopping cart. Also in the cart was a pair of women’s purses. As they watched, the suspect placed all of the stolen property inside the purses and then left the store without paying for the $294 worth of goods.

She was charged with felony second-degree theft.

Tavern beating suspect sought

Police are looking for a man suspected in the brutal beating of a stranger outside the Millwood Tavern early Sept. 18.

The beating took place shortly before 2 a.m. on the northern part of the tavern lot, where the victim had parked before entering the tavern to see about a job. The man beaten told police that when he parked in the spot he was confronted by six men, one of whom told him not to park there.

The victim, 29, told the men to calm down then entered the bar. But when he returned to his car the men were standing in front of the vehicle and one of them, Skye C. Baker, 23, allegedly threw a punch, knocking the victim backward. The victims jaw was broken after several more blows, but he managed to get away and run toward the 7-Eleven store at Argonne Road and Liberty Avenue. A second man, wearing a gray U.S. Marines T-shirt, then grabbed the victim in a headlock and punched him several more times before rejoining the half-dozen men. The men jumped into a silver Dodge pickup and drove away southbound on Argonne.

Baker was arrested later that morning in his driveway, where the pickup was also impounded. But police did not find the second suspect. He is described as Caucasian, 5-feet 8-inches tall, with black hair and a stocky build. Anyone with information about this assault is encouraged to call the Spokane County Sheriff’s tip line at 242-8477.

Reward offered for capture

Secret Witness is offering a cash reward for information that results in the capture of a fugitive wanted on eight different arrest warrants.

Ryan C. Zenishek is wanted for car theft, bail jumping and driving with a suspended license, among other things. The 24-year-old fugitive is a 160-pound white male 5 feet 11 inches tall. He has brown hair and green eyes and lives a transient lifestyle. His last known home address was 3704 N. Lidgerwood Road.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should call the Secret Witness Tip Line at 327-5111. Callers do not have to give their name to collect the cash reward, but should leave a code name or number with the operator.