Disorderly, Irate Customer May Face Felony Charges for Violent Choices
Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating an incident of a customer who became irate at a local grocery store this morning. Employees reported that the male customer threw a bottle, hit an employee in the head, and stole approximately $15 worth of merchandise after the store refused to provide service to him. The suspect could now face two felony charges, robbery and assault 2nd degree, for his poor decision to escalate the situation and become violent. The employee declined medical attention at the time of the incident.
On January 15, 2021, at approximately 9:40 am., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to the Grocery Outlet, located near the intersection of Sprague and Pines, for a reported disorderly customer who was refusing to leave and then assaulted the employee.
A store employee told arriving Deputies, the adult male suspect was not wearing a mask inside the store. He was asked several times to put on a mask but ignored the requests.
When the suspect approached the checkout stand, an employee refused to sell the approximate $15 worth of merchandise to the man. He became irate, and an argument ensued. The suspect picked up the items and proceeded to walk out of the store without paying.
An employee confronted the suspect, attempting to recover the merchandise.
As the altercation escalated, it became physical.
The suspect threw a coffee bottle at the employee, striking him in the head. The bottle fell on the ground and shattered. The suspect picked up a piece of the broken bottle, holding it a weapon, and threatened the employee. Eventually, he got into his car and was last seen driving westbound on Sprague.
The male suspect was described as a white male in his 20’s with long hair, wearing a white sweatshirt and blue jeans.
An employee provided a license plate of the suspect vehicle, which Deputies attempted to locate but have not yet been successful.
The employee who was struck in the head with the bottle declined medical attention at the scene.
This remains an active investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident, including the suspect, is asked to call Crime Check at 509-456-2233, reference #10006322.