Police allege that a 26-year-old man, who splits his time between Seattle and Spokane, entered the Double Eagle Pawn shop at 3030 East Sprague Avenue on Aug. 23, jumped the merchandise counter, grabbed a shotgun and began firing into the air. He has been charged with the felony of first-degree robbery. The man's alleged actions led to a two-hour standoff with police.

There were approximately 20 customers in the store when the alleged robber entered. The staff of the pawn shop helped most of the customers out of the store, but armed employees did confront the alleged gunman to create an exit for four people trapped in the store. Witnesses reported hearing the 26-year-old alleged gunman make rambling comments about President Barack Obama. The brother of the accused reports that the man has a heroin addiction.

Prosecutors elected to charge the accused with first-degree robbery because they allege he used the shotgun to scare customers and employees of Double Eagle Pawn. They also allege that he took more firearms that included rifles and a revolver. The accused, who has no prior felony convictions, entered a not guilty plea to the first-degree robbery charges and is being held on a $50,000 bond in the Spokane County Jail.

Felony level robbery charges are a potentially serious matter that can lead to a long prison sentence and significant fines. Individuals facing charges like these may wish to allow a criminal attorney to review the circumstances of the case. It may be possible for an attorney to negotiate a plea to a lesser charge or find circumstances that will possibly allow for probation while obtaining treatment for mental or drug issues.

Source: The Spokesman Review , "Suspect in pawn shop standoff pleads not guilty", September 03, 2013