UPDATE
Two different groups of Spokane citizens helped police identify and then later locate Papa Murphy's Robbery Suspect.
On 02-05-13 around 6:53pm Spokane Police responded to what they believed was an armed robbery of the Papa Murphy's at 1624 W Rowan. An alert citizen observed a male standing on the corner of the Papa Murphy's business. He believed the male had a mask on and was peeking through the window. This citizen drove around the block to see what he was doing. When he got back to the business, he observed the male run out of the business and jump into a Red Chevy Blazer. This citizen called 911 to report the incident and followed the suspect giving police a very accurate description of the vehicle, including sticker's on the vehicle's windows. He lost the vehicle after it turned into an alley in the Shadle area.
Spokane Police responded to the area and contacted employees at the business who confirmed they had been robbed. They gave a description of the suspect but had not seen him get into a vehicle. Police were unable to locate the suspect at that time.
Approximately a half hour later, another alert citizen, who had heard the robbery on his police scanner, was driving in the Shadle area and observed the suspect vehicle SB on Driscoll Blvd. This citizen also called 911 and was able to follow the vehicle until police were able to stop it. Police detained the driver, 32 year-old Matthew Doud. Police were able to confirm that Doud lived in a house off the alley that the original witness had watched him drive into. Police applied for a Search Warrant for Doud's residence. They located evidence that linked Doud to the Robbery, including the clothing worn and the bag he used to put the money in. Doud was booked into jail for 2nd Robbery.
Without the assistance of these alert citizens, Spokane Police would not have located and arrested this robbery suspect. Thanks for the help Spokane!!
ORIGINAL STORY
SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane Police quickly responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Papa Murphy's on Ash & Rowan Tuesday evening, but they were able to detain a suspect thanks in large part to two alert citizens.
Police say the suspect walked into the pizza store armed with a knife and wearing a mask and "politely" demanded money from the cashier. As the suspect was leaving the store, a customer who thought it was a bit odd for someone to be wearing a mask got into his vehicle and followed the suspect. However, the citizen lost him near the Shadle Park shopping center.
A few minutes later, another citizen who was listening to the incident on a scanner actually spotted the vehicle near Dalton and Nettleton and called it in. Police arrived on scene and were able to detain a man matching the description of the suspect.
Police say the suspect got away with less than $100, but so far the money or the knife has not been recovered. Police are waiting on a search warrant for the suspect's house to search for more evidence.
At this point, the suspect is only being detained and is not under arrest.
We will be sure to update this story as soon as any additional information becomes available.
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