Police arrest man suspected in string of fast food robberies

A fingerprint on a discarded container of salad helped lead police to a man they suspect participated in seven robberies since October.

Corey L. Parker, 42, is being held in the Spokane County Jail in lieu of $1 million bond on charges of robbery and possessing drugs.

The salad container came from an Oct. 31 robbery at Einstein’s Bagels on North Division. Two suspects were involved and one handled a salad container that was left behind. The fingerprint found on the container was Parker’s, according to court documents.

Police knew the seven robberies were likely connected based on the similar descriptions of the suspects. In some cases only one person was involved but in others there were two robbers. Usually, one would serve as a lookout while the other claimed to have a gun and demanded money, often threatening to kill employees if they didn’t comply, according to court documents.

Police received a tip Dec. 14 identifying Parker as a possible suspect. He was arrested Dec. 31.

Parker also is suspected of robbing the Subway on West Third on Oct. 24; the Baskin-Robbins on Country Homes Boulevard on Oct. 30; The Quiznos on West Wellesley Avenue on Nov. 20; the Baskin-Robbins on North Monroe Street on Nov. 22; the Subway on West Francis Avenue on Nov. 22; and the Subway on North Nevada Street on Nov. 28.

According to court documents, police believe Parker’s accomplice in some of the robberies may have been Christopher Sather. Police arrested Sather, 27, on Dec. 26 after a police dog tracked him to Parker’s home after Sather allegedly robbed the Subway on North Nevada.

Sather is jailed on a $50,000 bond.