Pair charged in bowling alley robbery waive hearings

COEUR d’ALENE — Two Spokane residents charged with staging a robbery at Sunset Bowling Center have waived their right to a preliminary hearing.

Brett C. Sears, 38, is charged with burglary, grand theft, eluding and criminal conspiracy, all felonies. Prosecutors also filed a habitual offender enhancement. Sears is expected to formally enter a plea next week.

Lindsey A. Little, 36, is charged with criminal conspiracy, grand theft, compounding a felony and possession of a controlled substance, all felonies. Her arraignment is scheduled for December.

The charges stem from the evening of Oct. 2, when Little called 911 to report a robbery at her workplace, Sunset Bowling Center in Coeur d’Alene.

Little told police that an unknown man, later identified as Sears, had attacked her, tied her hands and stole around $1,700 in cash before fleeing the bowling alley.

Security footage showed Sears pushing Little to the ground and taking money from a cash register, according to court documents.

Later that evening, Sears reportedly led Idaho State Police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed in a field and his vehicle rolled multiple times. He was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Investigators obtained text messages sent the day of the robbery. Via text, Little reportedly told Sears where to park in order to avoid surveillance cameras and told him he would need to tie her hands.

Call logs showed that the pair spoke on the phone for 17 minutes the night of the robbery.

When interviewed by police, Sears allegedly said Little had approached him with a plan to rob the bowling alley and split the stolen cash.

Little told police that the staged robbery was Sears’ idea and that he had pressured her into going along with the scenario.

Police arrested Little on Oct. 6 and Sears the following day, after his discharge from the hospital.

Little has since posted $35,000 bail, while Sears remains in jail on the same amount.