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VIDEO: Robbery suspect arrested after climbing to roof of downtown Spokane building

The suspect climbed onto the roof of 24 Taps in downtown Spokane to evade police after a foot pursuit, authorities said.

SPOKANE, Wash. — A robbery suspect is in custody after climbing onto the roof of a downtown Spokane business and jumping between buildings on Wednesday. 

Authorities initially responded to the 3400 block of W. 2nd Ave. for a report of a domestic violence order violation at about 9 a.m. on Wednesday, according to Spokane Police Officer Joshua Laiva. 

Neighbors called police to report a man was fighting with a woman who had a no-contact order against him. When officers arrived, the victim was gone but soon returned to the scene, Laiva said. Police said there had been numerous calls to the home involving the suspect.

While officers were investigating this incident, there was a report of a robbery in the area of Monroe Street and Riverside Avenue around 9:30 a.m., Laiva said. Witnesses said a man tried to steal a woman's purse and assaulted her. 

Police determined that the victim of the domestic violence was also the robbery victim and the suspect was identified as a 28-year-old Christoper Smith, according to Laiva.

Laiva said police chased Smith on foot before he climbed a ladder onto the roof of 24 Taps Burgers and Brews on West Riverside Avenue in downtown Spokane.  

Tap here to watch RAW video of police detaining the suspect

Multiple officers responded to the scene and surrounded the building. Laiva said hostage negotiators, SWAT team and K9 units were brought in to help.

Witnesses told KREM's Amanda Roley that the man was scaling buildings in the area and jumping between roofs.

Several officers worked to detain Smith, according to Laiva. Video tweeted by Roley shows involvement of a Spokane Fire Department truck ladder in the arrest process.  

Negotiators spoke to Smith, who refused to come down off the roof, Laiva said. He said a group of officers were able to get on the roof and take Smith into custody. 

Smith will be booked into the Spokane County Jail on felony charges for the domestic violence order violation, second degree robbery, first degree arson, residential burglary, burglary, third degree malicious mischief and multiple additional DV no-contact order violations, Laiva said. He added that police have been actively searching for Smith for the last several weeks.  

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