Public helps police capture carjacking suspect

After receiving multiple tips about her identity from the public, Spokane police arrested a woman they believe stole a car from a couple at gunpoint after the couple gave her a ride. Starsha Thorp, 32, was arrested Wednesday on first-degree robbery charges for the carjacking incident, which took place Dec. 11. The victims told police a woman approached them and asked for a ride to the Walmart store at 9121 North Colton. When they refused to wait while she shopped there, she asked to be driven to East St. Thomas More Way and Nevada St. Once the couple dropped her off, they said she pulled a gun out of her purse, pointed it at them and ordered them out of the vehicle. Police released surveillance photos of the incident on Jan. 6 hoping to identify the suspect. A Spokane police detective received 15 separate tips saying the suspect was Thorp. Thorp remains in jail on the robbery charge.