Police Department

Two in custody for robbery, victim transported to hospital with head injuries

Officer Daniel Strassenberg Public Information Office

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 4:45 p.m.

 

On July 16^th, 2024 just before 4:30pm, SPD responded to the area of Indiana Avenue and Atlantic Street on a report of a robbery. Officers arrived to find a victim who had sustained a head injury. Information provided to SPD revealed the victim made contact with two subjects, who were unknown to him, a male and a female. The nature of the contact was drug related. During the interaction with the two, the victim was struck in the head multiple times with an object similar to a stick or a pipe. 

The victim was told to remove his clothes during the assault.  Out of fear, the victim complied.  Both suspects then walked away with the victim’s clothing, some cash and a cell phone. Provided with descriptions of the suspects from the victim and a nearby witness, officers quickly located the involved male and female. At the completion of the investigation, officers developed probable cause to arrest the following suspects for 1^st Degree Robbery:

 

• Samantha R. Thexton (29)
• Tom A. Blake Jr. (24)

Blake has extensive criminal history and has a prior felony conviction for 3^rd Degree Assault. Prior to booking Blake into jail, he exhibited symptoms consistent with a drug overdose and was administered several doses of Narcan and cleared by medical providers.  Blake was then booked into the Spokane County Jail, as was Thexton and both appeared before a judge this afternoon  Blakes bond was set at $50,000 for the robbery, Thexton’s at $10,000. The victim was transported to a local hospital with minor head injuries.

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