SPOKANE, Wash. — Police responded to two robberies at Zip Trip gas stations in Northwest Spokane over the course of three hours on Wednesday.
One robbery suspect is in custody and police are still searching for at least another more, according to Spokane Police Sgt. Terry Preuninger.
Spokane police received a call at about 2:40 a.m. on Wednesday about an armed robbery at a Zip Trip located at 1023 W. Wellesley Ave. The clerk reported that he was armed by one person with a handgun, Preuninger said.
SPD patrol units and a K-9 team responded and began to search for the suspect, along with initiating an investigation.
A second call came in at about 5:37 a.m. for an armed robbery at a Zip Trip located at 2020 W. Francis Ave. Two suspects, one armed with a shotgun and another armed with a knife, had robbed the clerk and fled on foot, Preuninger said.
Preuninger said a deputy with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office was within a few blocks of the store at the time and responded to the call. The deputy saw two suspects fleeing on foot from the store parking lot and pursued them, with Spokane PD units following close behind.
The two suspects split up, with one jumping a fence and dropping a loaded shotgun and loot from the robbery, Preuninger said. This suspect connected to the robbery on W. Francis Avenue was caught after a short foot pursuit in and around houses and yards in the area.
The second suspect, who is believed to be armed with a knife, fled west on foot, according to Preuninger. Officers and K-9 team from the sheriff's office and SPD attempted to track him but could not find him.
Police do not know at this time if the two robberies are connected.
Both investigations are ongoing. Anyone with information regarding either of the crimes is encouraged to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233.