SWAT Team Serves Search Warrant, Arrests Armed Robbery Suspect
Major Crimes Detectives Seek Second Suspect
Early this morning, the Spokane Valley SWAT Team, assisting Major Crimes Detectives, served a high-risk search warrant at a residence located in the 14100 block of E. Wellesley. Suspect, 31-year-old Blain M. Peterson, was arrested and booked for Robbery 1st Degree, Assault 1st Degree and Assault 3rd Degree. The second suspect, 32-year-old Richard A. Rod, was not at the location and is sought by detectives.
Early this morning, prior to 6:00 a.m., the Spokane Valley SWAT Team served a search warrant at the request of Major Crime Detectives investigating an armed robbery and assault.
The investigation began on May 30, 2017, when Spokane Valley Deputies responded to a trouble unknown call in the 12100 block of E. Portland just prior to noon. They contacted an adult male victim who reported two males, one armed with a knife, assaulted and attempted to rob him. During a struggle, the victim received several stab wounds, lacerations and was violently beaten. The victim received medical attention for non-life threatening injuries.
Detectives learned during their investigation Peterson is a convicted felon with a history of being armed and violent. They also located pictures of Rod, also a convicted felon, posing with rifles (appeared to be AK-47, AR-15 style) furthering the belief the pair had access to weapons and might be armed.
SWAT Team members contacted Peterson at the residence and successfully took him into custody without incident. Rod was not at the location and is believed to have left just prior to the team’s arrival. It is not known if he was tipped off due to several social media posts of the SWAT Team staging in the area or if he left due to some other reason.
During a search of the location, investigators did not locate the weapons observed in the pictures.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or knows of Rod’s location is asked to call 911 reference #10068007. Please do not approach Rod as he may be armed.
This is the goal of the SWAT Team and a great example of a peaceful resolution due to the prior preparation, planning and deployment of SWAT and Detectives ending with no injuries and the arrest of an armed robbery suspect with a violent criminal history.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer