Fraud suspect still sought

POST FALLS - A credit card fraud suspect who was forced to shut down his controversial Spokane bar last year remains wanted on a $25,000 bond.

Jaime C. Pendleton, 42, is wanted by Post Falls Police after allegedly stealing funds from a couple's joint bank account at ATMs at Chase Bank in Post Falls and the Airway Heights WalMart.

"We got surveillance video that we posted on our Facebook page and the next day we were bombarded with tips that the suspect is Mr. Pendleton," said Post Falls Police Detective Neil Uhrig.

Uhrig said the victims do not know Pendleton. He said it's unclear exactly how Pendleton was able to allegedly tap into the couple's account.

"We want to investigate the case further," Uhrig said. "Without being able to speak with him to get his side of the story, we're not sure where he acquired the number from."

Pendleton made national headlines last year with his downtown Spokane Daiquiri Factory on Wall Street. A Spokane Superior Court judge upheld orders that evicted Pendleton and his business following controversy over one of the bar's drink names, "Date Grape Koolaid."

Uhrig said police attempted to reach Pendleton, a 5-foot-9 black man, for an interview before securing a warrant for his arrest.

"At some point, you have to stop chasing," Uhrig said. "The last address that I have him at is in Liberty Lake, but he's not living there anymore. He's lived in different places throughout the United States and has owned different businesses. I'd be happy to visit with him as I have during the whole investigation."

Uhrig said no inference should be made that Pendleton is guilty based on the fact a warrant was issued.

Those with information about Pendleton's whereabouts are encouraged to contact him at 777-7140 or [email protected].