Police: Man assaulted janitor, 71, with sharp putty knife

A 26-year-old man was arrested Tuesday after police say he robbed and beat an elderly janitor with a sharp putty knife at a grocery store. Christopher T. Lebret appeared in Superior Court on Wednesday on charges of first-degree robbery and second-degree assault for the attack at the Albertsons store at 6520 N. Nevada St. The victim, a 71-year-old janitor, was cleaning and waxing the floors near the produce aisle, according to court records. Lebret grabbed up a three-inch-wide sharp putty knife from the victim’s back pocket and leapt on his back, slashing him with the tool, according to the documents. The victim speaks no English but showed police officers several deep cuts on his neck and chest. Lebret also punched him on the body and face five times, the documents say. The victim tried to protect himself, but was unable to throw Lebret off, according to the documents. Lebret is six inches taller and 60 pounds heavier than the victim. Lebret fled the store after the assault but was detained by five Albertsons employees. He appeared to be drunk, according to records, but the motive for the attack was unknown. Lebret is in Spokane County Jail on $25,000 bond.