Police Department

Spokane Police Arrest Suspect in Coffee Stand Robberies

Monique Cotton, Director of Communication and Public Information, 509.363.8285

Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 10:29 a.m.

Spokane Police safely arrest Armed Robbery suspect Joseph GW Layman (28). Layman fled from officers into an occupied apartment building, fought violently with officers as they attempted to arrest him, and tried to retrieve a knife while being taken into custody. He was booked into jail on charges of 1st Degree Robbery and 2nd Degree Robbery.

Yesterday, 10/22/14, at approximately 5 p.m., Spokane Police Patrol officers and members of the Targeted Crimes Unit (TCU) responded to an apartment complex in the 1600 block of W. Pacific Ave. Officers had received information that the suspect in two coffee stand Robberies (Walnut Street Perk and Bare Beans Espresso) was at this location. The suspect, Joseph GW Layman (28) had displayed a weapon during one of the Robberies and was believed to be armed.

Officers responded to the apartment and located Layman outside the apartments. Layman saw officers and ran back inside one of the apartments. Due to the concern for the safety of multiple other people inside the residence, and information that Layman was likely armed, officers entered the residence and located Layman. Officers gave numerous verbal directives and attempted to take Layman into custody, however he fought violently and attempted to retrieve a four inch knife from his pocket. Additionally, officers located a six inch hunting knife, a hammer and multiple syringes on a bed in the residence, in close proximity to Layman. Officers were eventually able to take Layman safely into custody.

Layman was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail on one count of 1st Degree Robbery (Bare Beans Espresso) and one count of 2nd Degree Robbery (Walnut Street Perk). Please see the news release below for details on the original incidents.

Layman will appear in court today at 1:30 p.m.

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