SPOKANE -- A rash of robberies in Spokane over the last several months could be the work of one man who is now behind bars. Investigators suspect 44-year-old Shawn Westlie robbed eight businesses at gunpoint. It apparently took a nineth crime, a burglary, to put him behind bars.
Christine Lazenby owns Jitterz Java. It is one of the eight businesses police say Westlie robbed over the last four months. Westlie lives just five blocks from the coffee stand. When Lazenby heard the news a suspect was in jail she was very excited.
"I texted all the girls hoping they'd be more comfortable working, they've been terrified since it happened," said Lazenby.
Since October, Westlie suspected of robbing five coffee shops, store off Sunset Boulevard and two Quiznos in north Spokane. In each of those robberies, police say Westlie had a gun, and often wore a face-mask. Victims gave similar descriptions of the suspect in each crime but police say it was never enough to pin it on Westlie. That was until a burglary off North Nettleton, just three blocks from Westlie's home. Police say the victim identified Westlie as the suspect.
Westlie was arrested Friday after a short standoff with the SWAT team. Later that night, police searched his home for items that could tie Westlie to the crimes. Detectives were back out at Westlie's house Tuesday to execute a second search warrant and collect interviews. Police will not say it they suspect Westlie of even more crimes. But victims like Lazenby are just relieved he is off the streets.
