On March 10, 2009, just before noon, Spokane Police responded to the area of Lewis and Clark High School.  The Spokane Public Schools Resource Officer had been told two teen males were showing off a handgun near the campus.  Suspect descriptions were given to responding officers.

Ofc. Tim Moses observed one male matching the description in the area of the STA Plaza, downtown.  When the suspect made eye contact with Ofc. Moses, he ran into the Sterling Savings Bank, through the building northbound.  A citizen quickly spotted the suspect in the skywalk of Riverpark Square, heading towards Macy's.  Macy's employees saw the suspect run into a bathroom, and then quickly leave running towards the US Bank and Paulson Building.  Officers were in foot pursuit of the suspect and were able to take him into custody as the suspect was coming down a fire escape. 

Officers located a stolen handgun in a trash can in the men's bathroom of Macy's.

The juvenile male was booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention on the charge of Possession of a Stolen Firearm.  More charges may be pending.  The second teenage suspect has been identified but has not been located.  Police have probable cause to arrest him for identical charges of possession of a stolen firearm. 

Spokane Police wish to thank all of the helpful citizens avert what could have been a very dangerous situation.  The downtown area was very populated during the lunch hour, and a suspect running from police with a loaded stolen handgun, causes great concern to the community.  Fortunately, every available patrol officer responded quickly and cautiously, the suspect was taken into custody without incident.

In October 2009, a pickup truck was stolen from the area of 400 West Glass.  The recovered handgun had been in the truck at the time of the theft.  The truck had been recovered nearby a few days later.