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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Robbers attack homeowner

From Staff Reports

A Spokane Valley man was awakened Friday by home-invasion robbers who hit him over the head and broke his finger before stealing prescription medications and other valuables.

The robbers – one armed with a knife – remain at large, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. The men are described as white, 5 feet 11 and thin. Both wore gray hooded sweatshirts and gloves. The man with the knife was said to be in his 20s, the other was described as 35 to 40.

The men forced their way into a home at 8600 E. Broadway Ave. about 7:50 a.m. and confronted the sleeping homeowner, who is in his 60s, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

They fled with the medications, a handgun and gold coins after assaulting the man, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

Bald eagle killed near Long Lake

A bald eagle was shot to death near Long Lake last weekend, and the Humane Society of the United States is offering up to $2,500 for tips that lead to the killer’s conviction.

The bird was found on the south bank of the lake off Long Lake Road, near the town of Ford, the weekend of March 6.

Bald eagles are federally protected birds. Killing them is a federal crime that carries up to a year in prison and fines up to $100,000.

In a prepared statement, Dan Paul, state director of the Humane Society, called the poaching “an affront to wildlife and the laws that protect these animals.”

The Humane Society is offering the reward with the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust. Anyone with information is asked to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement at (509) 928-6050.

Inmate’s request for leave denied

A man with more than 50 criminal convictions who 12 years ago escaped from police headquarters, then mailed back his handcuffs, was denied a furlough from jail Friday to tend to the recent death of his mother.

Fred W. Nolan Jr. requested a leave from Geiger Corrections Center to help get his late mother’s affairs in order, but Spokane County Superior Court Judge Ellen Kalama Clark ordered Friday he stay behind bars, citing his many felony convictions.

Nolan, 40, is being held on $5,000 bail for burglary and malicious mischief charges. He was arrested in June, accused of break-ins at offices in the Empire Health Services building at 601 W. Fifth Ave. Nolan has at least 51 criminal convictions, mostly for theft and burglary, dating to 1983.

Man arrested at scene of burglary

A man who once said he stole “to make ends meet” was arrested Friday after sheriff’s deputies said he returned to the scene of a burglary.

Dustin L. Lang, 29, threatened a witness with a knife after being confronted about breaking into a garage at 6500 N. Jensen about 5:50 a.m., according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

A tracking dog found the knife and Lang’s vehicle, but not Lang, the Sheriff’s Office said.

But Lang, a convicted felon, returned to the scene after deputies left, and another witness called 911. He was arrested on charges of first-degree burglary and three counts of vehicle prowling, as well as an outstanding warrant.

Six years ago, Lang told The Spokesman-Review he saw stealing as his way to make a living.