Police Department

Arrest Made In Multiple Early Morning Robberies

Cpl. Nick Briggs, PIO

Monday, April 17, 2023 at 4:04 p.m.

Update 4/17/23: 

Suspect arrested for 11 felony charges following string of armed robberies

On 04-15-23, SPD arrested a suspect in a string of early morning armed robberies. All four incidents involved a suspect robbing a business while displaying a firearm (see initial release below).

Through the course of the investigation, the suspect, identified as 37-year-old Tysen R. Foster, was identified as being responsible for two additional armed robberies which occurred on 04-05 and 04-12 respectively. Foster has been booked into Spokane County Jail for 6 counts of robbery 1^st degree (armed robbery), 4 counts of assault 2^nd (assault with a deadly weapon), and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. Below is a timeline of events and corresponding charges associated with each:

On 04-05 at about 6:45PM, a business in the 2600 block of N. Hamilton St was robbed. The suspect pointed a firearm at multiple individuals inside the business and not only demanded money from the store employee, but also the cell phones of customers. For this incident Foster has been charged with robbery 1^st degree and four counts of assault 2^nd degree.

On 04-12 just before 8PM, a business in the 400 block of E Holland Ave was robbed. The suspect displayed a handgun and demanded money from the business. Foster was charged with robbery 1^st degree.

On 04-15 just after 7:30AM, a business in the 2700 block of N Division St was robbed. The suspect approached the employee, displayed a firearm, and demanded money. Foster was charged with robbery 1^st degree.

On 04-15 just after 8AM, a business in the 900 block of E Wellesley Ave was robbed. The suspect approached the counter as if to make a purchase before producing a firearm and demanding money. Foster was charged with robbery 1^st degree.

On 04-15 just before 8:30AM, a business in the 000 block of E Weile Ave was robbed. Once again the suspect approached the counter appearing to make an ordinary transaction before he produced a firearm and demanded money. Foster was charged with robbery 1^st degree.

On 04-15 just before 9:30AM, a business in the 3200 block of N Nevada St was robbed. In similar fashion to some of the other robberies, the suspect approached the counter to make a purchase before brandishing a firearm and demanding currency. Foster was charged with robbery 1^st degree.

Investigative resources from SPD’s Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), and Special Investigations Unit (SIU) immediately began working to identify the suspect. With the assistance of SPD Dispatchers who were scouring available information as it became available, Foster was quickly identified as the potential culprit, and a search for him and his vehicle commenced. Later in the morning, members of the VCTF located Foster’s vehicle in the 1300 block of W Boone Ave. Given the violent and armed nature of the incidents, SPD’s SWAT team was utilized to arrest Foster. Just before 11AM, SWAT units moved to make the arrest. Foster attempted to flee in his vehicle, however SWAT personnel were quickly able to immobilize it. Foster then surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.

Foster has also been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm 1^st degree; Foster has a felony burglary conviction in Nevada,  and a felony harassment conviction in Washington (among other criminal history), which precludes him from lawfully possessing a firearm.

The investigation is on-going, and the possibility of additional charges exists.

Original Release 4/15/23:

SPD responds to multiple armed robberies, suspect arrested

During the morning hours of 04-15-23, SPD responded to four commercial armed robberies in an approximately two-hour span. All four incidents involved a suspect robbing a business while displaying a firearm.

SPD patrol officers and specialty resources, including the Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF), promptly began investigating and were able to develop suspect information and identify an involved vehicle. The suspect vehicle was subsequently located in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood. The suspect attempted to flee from apprehension, however those efforts were thwarted by members of SPD’s SWAT team, and about an hour and a half after the last robbery he was taken into custody without further incident.

This remains an on-going investigation. Investigators are continuing to conduct interviews and process evidence. The suspect has been linked to all four robberies from this morning, and detectives are working to determine if the individual is responsible for additional criminal acts.

More information will be released as the investigation allows.

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