Robbery Suspect with a Knife Yields to Employees with Their Own
Spokane Valley Deputies responding to a reported armed robbery in progress arrived to find the suspect sitting on the floor of the business and arrested him. The suspect told responding deputies he was armed with a knife and intended to rob the store but the two employees produced knives of their own, and he surrendered.
On March 28, 2019, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Spokane Valley Deputies responded to an in-progress armed robbery at Country Homes Power located at 5323 E. Sprague in Spokane Valley.
When Deputy Jeff Getchell arrived at the business, he observed a male, later identified as 22-year-old Jonathan L. Epperson, sitting on the floor. An employee advised Epperson was the suspect and the knife Epperson was armed with was in his pants pocket.
Epperson followed verbal commands. He was taken into custody without incident, and a folding knife was recovered during a search.
The two employees explained, Epperson entered the store with a hoodie covering his head and holding a knife in his hand. He pointed the knife toward the employees, demanded money and threatened to stab them. Both employees stood up to defend themselves and pulled knives from their pockets. Epperson stood with a shocked look on his face for a moment and then followed the employee’s commands to get on the ground and put the knife away.
Epperson was advised of his rights, stated he understood and agreed to answer questions. When asked to explain what happened, he said: “I wanted to steal their money, and I wanted to hurt them.” When asked why, he replied, “Because I want money just like they do and I deserve it.” He said he walked in the store, pulled his knife out and demanded money and threatened to stab them if he didn’t get it. When asked what happened next, he said, “They both stood up and pulled knives out of their pockets. I didn’t expect that and realized I was probably going to lose, so I gave up and did what they told me to do.”
Epperson was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for Robbery 1st Degree.
Corporal Mark Gregory
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office
Spokane Valley Police Department
Public Information Officer