Robbery spree continues
COEUR d'ALENE — A suspect in four local robbery cases in three days has police wondering what business he'll target next.
"We're working on getting a better physical description of the suspect, but we believe all of the cases are connected," said Coeur d'Alene Police Sgt. Christie Wood.
The white male suspect in all of the cases is described as 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 and between 160 and 190 pounds. A scarf or bandana was used to cover the man's face in all of the incidents.
The latest business that was struck was the liquor store at 1607 Northwest Blvd. in Coeur d'Alene on Tuesday night at 8:10. The suspect demanded cash from a clerk and left with an undisclosed amount. No weapon was seen during the incident.
No vehicle descriptions have been obtained in any of the incidents.
Other businesses targeted included the Quality Inn, 280 W. Appleway Ave., Coeur d'Alene, on Monday at 10 p.m.; the Cenex Zip Trip, 1427 E. Best Ave., Coeur d'Alene, on Monday at 5:14 a.m.; and Frontier Grocery, 2707 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, on Sunday at 9:07 p.m.
The only case in which a weapon was displayed was at the Quality Inn, where the suspect held a knife to his side. He escaped with money in all of the cases except at the Zip Trip, where the employee declined to hand over cash and walked to the back room.
In the liquor store case, the suspect was wearing a light-colored camouflage coat with a hood, dark-colored scarf over his nose and mouth and light-colored pants.
At the Quality Inn, the suspect was wearing a green winter coat with a hood, a light-colored scarf over his nose and mouth, black pants and wore a large white glove on his left hand.
Wood said detectives also believe it's the same suspect in all of the cases because there are not typically many robberies in the Coeur d'Alene and Post Falls area, so to have four in three days is suspicious.
K-9 units responded to the incidents to attempt to track the suspect.
Wood said suspects can be difficult to locate in such cases, especially if the suspect is in and out in a matter of seconds.
"Clerks oftentimes don't contact us until after it's done and they're often not in a position to notify us while it's happening," she said.
Wood said business owners are encouraged to talk to their clerks about how to safely respond to such incidents.
Anyone with information about the Coeur d'Alene cases is asked to call 769-2320 or email the tip line at [email protected].
Those with information on the Post Falls case can call 773-3517 or leave a tip at www.postfallspolice.com. Tipsters can remain anonymous if they want.
Police encourage the public to not approach the suspect as he is considered armed and dangerous.