Last night, as Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were responding to an armed bank robbery at Chase Bank, 40-year-old Jonathan B. Scafide, ran from the Safeway store located next door to the bank with two stolen bottles of raspberry vodka concealed in his pants as an employee chased him. Scafide was arrested for Theft 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Law Enforcement.
At approximately 6:10 p.m., as deputies were searching the area around Chase Bank located at 822 West Francis for an armed robbery suspect, Deputy Joseph Wallace heard two women scream, “Hey! Help! Stop him!” and observed a male, later identified as Scafide, running toward his position.
Scafide kept his hands hidden in his front waistband area, disregarded commands from deputies to stop and show his hands, and appeared to match the general description of the armed robbery suspect. Scafide’s escape route was blocked by a citizen backing out of a parking stall. Scafide eventually showed his hands as directed but failed to follow commands to get down on the ground. Deputies forcefully gained control of Scafide, took him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs without further incident.
Two bottles of raspberry vodka were located in the front of Scafide’s pants. Once in custody, Deputies quickly determined Scafide was only involved in the theft of the alcohol and was not involved with the bank robbery.
Scafide was charged with Theft 3rd Degree, Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Law Enforcement. He was checked by medical staff for injuries before he was released at the scene.