SPOKANE, Wash. — Two of the four suspects arrested Tuesday night after robbing and bear spraying a couple in downtown Spokane are claiming they had nothing to do with the crime.
According to court documents, around 6:25 p.m. Tuesday, officers received a call that two people had been robbed and bear sprayed while sitting in their car near Riverfront Park. Police said one of the victims went to get money from an ATM at Wheatland Bank.
When he returned to his car, police said a group of males sprayed bear spray into the car and stole his money. Surveillance video from the Spokane Police Department (SPD) shows a total of eight people running past the Rotary Fountain in Riverfront Park.
Several of the people running are covering their face while another is holding a backpack. In a separate body cam video, police chase down one of the suspects through the park before putting him in handcuffs.
The two suspects, Chase Wilson and Rashaud Lightner, claim they had nothing to do with the robbery.
"I happen to run with some of the dudes that were, I guess, in that group," Wilson told KREM 2. "So, I got picked up on that because the cops were in Riverfront where I got arrested."
"It's all news to me being a robbery, that there was a ATM, that there was a whole pepper spray," Lightner said. "I showed them my hands. I was like, 'I'm not violent.'"
Three adults and one minor were arrested. They all face charges of first-degree armed robbery.
Court documents said one of the victims in the robbery helped identify the suspects. The victim told police she was 100% certain all four suspects took part in the robbery.
Officers said they retrieved bear spray during the arrests. Spokane Police declined further comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
Watch the full, raw interview below:
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