Robbery suspect arrested in Post Falls

UPDATE: Police have arrested John D. Owens, 21, of Pahrump, Nev., in connection with this morning's robbery attempt at the Flying J Travel Plaza in Post Falls.

After Owens ran from the Flying J, police received a call about a suspicious male near Raycap, 806 Clearwater Loop. 

Post Falls police Capt. Greg McLean said Owens had taken off all of his clothes except his shorts along the bank of the Spokane River.

McLean said Owens didn't have an explanation for shedding his clothes. Police found him sitting on a bench staring at the river.

He was detained without incident. The Flying J clerk involved in the 8:43 a.m. incident identified Owens as the suspect to police.

McLean said Owens told police that he has been in the area for about three weeks.

Original story posted at 10 a.m.:

POST FALLS — Post Falls Police has detained a suspect in this morning's robbery attempt at the Flying J travel plaza off Interstate 90 near the state line.

Police report that a male entered the business and demanded money from the clerk. No weapon was displayed. The clerk declined to hand over cash, saying the register couldn't be opened.

The suspect ran from the business and was detained along the bank of the Spokane River in the area of Commerce Loop. He was only wearing shorts at that time, police said.

Police are questioning the male at the police department. The man told police that he is homeless.

Information will be updated as it becomes available.