Persistent Robbery Suspect Arrested after Second Attempt
On June 16, 2016, Spokane Valley and Spokane County Sheriff Deputies arrested 24-year-old Arturo J. Champine after he unsuccessfully tried robbing the Ramada Inn and Pizza Pipeline within an hour and a half time frame. Champine was booked into jail for two counts of attempted Robbery 2nd Degree.
Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Deputies were first called to the Ramada Inn, located at 905 North Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley, just prior to 10:00 p.m. Deputy Michael Keys learned a male, later identified as Champine, entered the hotel at approximately 9:00 p.m. and asked to sit in the lobby while he waited for someone.
Champine kept wandering around the lobby and it appeared to the employee, Champine was either intoxicated or had possible mental health issues. After a while, he walked out the front door into the parking lot. A few minutes later, Champine walked back inside, approached the front counter and demanded money. At first, the employee stated she thought it was a joke until he demanded the money again. The employee, not seeing a weapon said “No.” Champine said, “Are we really going to do this now?” and reached inside his backpack and appeared to grab for or hold a weapon.
Champine again demanded money and the employee, although afraid, said no as she exited out the front door with other people from the lobby as Champine fled down a hallway.
At approximately 11:30 p.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to Pizza Pipeline located at 9407 East Trent for an attempted robbery. Deputy Travis Smith learned a male, later identified as Champine, entered the store, walked around the front counter and made several demands for money. When two employees working in the back of the store came to the front, Champine ran away as an employee gave chase but Champine escaped. Champine did not display a weapon but he had his hand concealed inside his sweatshirt pocket.
At approximately 12:25 a.m., Spokane Valley Sheriff’s Sergeant Justin Elliott observed a male matching the description of the suspect from the two robberies in the area of Trent and Dollar. The male, identified as Champine, was quickly taken into custody without incident.
Champine was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 2 counts of Robbery 2nd Degree.
Deputy Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Public Information Officer