Police Department

SPD searching for two suspects in an armed robbery

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, Spokane Police and Fire

Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 4:56 p.m.

SPD searching for two suspects in an armed robbery after hours long standoff

Spokane Police responded to a call of an armed robbery at about 9:15 this morning – 5/25/23 – at an apartment building on 1st and Division in Downtown Spokane. Patrol officers and multiple specialty units including SWAT, Hostage Negotiations, and the Explosives Disposal Unit (EDU) responded. A female victim reported an armed man, accompanied by another woman, robbed her in a hallway taking her bag. SPD, acting on information that the suspects had retreated to a room in the building and were inside, deployed resources to make contact with the suspects and safely take them into custody. Residents of the building were evacuated and several nearby businesses/organizations were locked down out of an abundance of caution.  Eventually, officers were able to gain access to the room and discovered the suspects had fled prior to SPD’s arrival. 

Police have identified the suspects and established probable cause to arrest them. The suspects are John R Gardner, a 28 year old black male, 5’06, weighing 152 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes and Mary C Spencer, a 28 year old Native American female, 5’07 weighing 168 lbs. with brown hair and brown eyes. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous. If you see them, you are asked to call 911 immediately. If you have any information as to their whereabouts, you are asked to call Crime Check at 509.456.2233

Related Photos

• Suspect 1
• Suspect 2

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