Spokane Police are investigating a string of violent crimes, including four robberies last night.   It is too early to determine if these cases are related or these crimes are evidence of a larger trend throughout the city. 

The series of robberies began Friday night, May 25, 2012 at 10pm with a “takeover style robbery” at the McDonald’s on 4600 S. Regal.  Four suspects entered the store and robbed several patrons and employees inside the business.  The suspects were wearing dark clothing and masks, and the suspects fled prior to police arrival. 

Tuesday evening, May 29, 2012, at 11pm Spokane Police responded to a “home invasion robbery” at 900 E. Princeton, where several males wearing masks broke into the home armed with guns.  A male inside the home suffered a gunshot wound and was taken to the hospital.  The suspects fled prior to police arrival and have not been located.

Last night, between midnight and 1:00 am, Spokane Police responded to four separate robbery reports within the City of Spokane.

At 12:18 am, north-side patrol officers responded to a robbery at the Cenex Zip Trip on West Francis.  Two men dressed in black, wearing masks, entered the store and took an undisclosed amount of money.  Officers searched and were unable to locate the suspects.  A citizen was outside the store at the moment of the robbery - detectives are asking that citizen to come forward and contact them via Crime Check.

Also at 12:18am, south-side patrol officers responded to a robbery at the Downtown Grocery on W. Sprague, where several suspects began fighting inside the store.  The store clerk was assaulted, suffering a broken finger, trying to remove the group from the store.  A 17-year-old male was ultimately arrested for 1^st degree Assault and Possession of a Controlled Substance – methamphetamine. 

At 12:47am, south-side patrol officers responded to the 1600 block of W. 3^rd Ave on a robbery call.  Ofc. Cory Lyons contacted and arrested Kermit C. York (10/4/78), Kevin M. Hunter (6/24/88) and Timothy W. Yax (10/15/87) for 1^st Degree Robbery. The three suspects assaulted a woman walking on the sidewalk and stole more $300 cash. 

At 1:01am, North side patrol officers responded to 1600 W. Spofford on another robbery call.  Suspects wearing masks, armed with handguns, broke into the home and fled prior to police arrival. 

Spokane Police Major Crimes Detectives are in the preliminary stages of investigation into these incidents.  It is too early to determine if these cases are related or these crimes are evidence of a larger trend throughout the city.