Juvenile Theft Suspect Pulls Stolen Knife on Good Samaritan
Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a reported person with a weapon call at a store on E. 57th Avenue. The juvenile suspect, attempting to steal merchandise, was confronted by store employees and a Good Samaritan. During a struggle to stop the suspect, he pulled a knife from the merchandise he was stealing, but he was quickly disarmed. The juvenile suspect was arrested and charged with felony and misdemeanor charges. The Good Samaritan received minor injuries and declined medics at the scene.
On January 27, 2025, at approximately 7:55 pm, Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a person with a weapon call at a store in the 3000 block of E. 57th Avenue. An employee stated a male (suspect) was stealing items from the store and got into a physical altercation with another customer when confronted. During the physical altercation, the suspect pulled out a knife but was quickly disarmed.
Deputies arrived and contacted a Spokane Police Officer who had the 15-year-old juvenile suspect detained in handcuffs.
Deputies learned that store employees were alerted to the juvenile suspect’s attempt to steal electronics and several other items. An employee approached the suspect and grabbed a large bag of suspected stolen items. The suspect pulled away, causing the bag to rip, but he maintained control of the bag and had additional stolen merchandise in his coat.
As the suspect walked toward the exit, past all points of sale, an adult male Good Samaritan confronted the suspect, telling him that he would not leave with stolen property, to drop it, and he was assured if he did, he could walk away. The suspect stomped his feet, turned toward the Good Samaritan, and punched him in the head/face. The Good Samaritan took the suspect to the ground to limit the suspect’s ability to continue his assaultive behavior.
The Good Samaritan kept telling the suspect to drop the items, saying if he did, he would let him go and he even released one of the suspect’s arms to see if he would comply. Unfortunately, the suspect didn’t. Instead, the suspect reached into the bag and pulled out a knife from the bag of stolen merchandise.
Now faced with a potentially lethal threat, the Good Samaritan grabbed the suspect’s wrist while one of the employees disarmed him. During this incident, the suspect screamed that he was going to kill the Good Samaritan and steal his vehicle.
In addition to being punched, the Good Samaritan was headbutted, scratched, and spit on by the juvenile suspect. The Good Samaritan declined medics at the scene.
Witnesses and employees gave similar accounts of the incident during interviews.
It was determined that the suspect had attempted to steal over $530 worth of merchandise, which was later returned to the store.
The suspect was advised of his rights but was not questioned per Washington State law. He was transported and booked into the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center for charges of Assault 1st Degree, Robbery 1st Degree, Felony Harassment-Weapon Involved, and Theft 3rd Degree.
This Spokane County Sheriff Office news article "Juvenile Theft Suspect Pulls Stolen Knife on Good Samaritan" was originally found on https://www.spokanecounty.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=7