Woman identifies her son as Banner Bank robbery suspect

A man suspected of robbing an east Spokane bank this week was arrested Thursday after police said he appeared to be staking out a different bank. Douglas E. Labish, 34, is accused of robbing Banner Bank inside the Safeway at 933 E. Mission on Monday, escaping with about $1,650, according to court documents. Labish, who police said lived at the House of Faith homeless shelter, spent time in federal prison for robbing three banks in 2002. Labish’s mother called police Tuesday and said she recognized her son from surveillance photos of Monday’s robbery, according to a search warrant. Before police could arrest Labish, employees at Banner Bank in the Safeway at 3919 N. Market St. reported someone matching the robber’s description parked in front of the store about 4 p.m. Police arrested Labish for first-degree robbery and attempted first-degree robbery.