Duo faces robbery charges

COEUR d'ALENE - Two men ended up with no cash, a little oxycontin, and in jail after trying to rob three stores in Coeur d'Alene late Wednesday and early Thursday.

Stephen J. Beck, 23, a transient, and Michael D. Frank, 20, Coeur d'Alene, were arrested and charged with three counts of robbery. Both were being held in the Kootenai County jail.

According to Coeur d'Alene police, Beck was the driver and Frank went into the stores armed with a handgun. They hit Piggies Market and Deli at 2001 Sherman Ave. at 8:30 p.m., Taj convenience store, 1003 N. 15th, at midnight, and Walgreens at U.S. 95 and Appleway at 4:30 a.m.

Police found a red or maroon Nissan sedan that matched the description of the vehicle used in the robberies in the area of the LaQuinta Inn shortly after the third robbery at Walgreens.

"The two suspects were in the vehicle when officers approached it," according to a press release. "Detectives interviewed the suspects and have determined they were involved in the robberies."

At both Piggies and Taj, the clerks didn't cooperate with the demands of the alleged robber.

Police said a man entered Piggies and demanded money from the cash register.

"The clerk refused and the suspect brandished a handgun from his waistband," a press release said. "The clerk again refused and the male fled on foot north of the business."

About midnight, a suspect entered Taj, approached the clerk and demanded money. Again, the suspect displayed a handgun in his waistband.

"The clerk told him he would need to get it himself. The suspect then exited the store and ran east," the release said.

Later, at Walgreens, the robber fled with a small amount of oxycontin and no cash.