SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Law enforcement officers arrested the same man twice in one day for an attempted break-in, arson and burglary on Monday, according to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 8 p.m. on September 22, Spokane Valley deputies responded to a call about a man who shattered a drive-thru window near 1st Avenue and Dishman Mica Road in Spokane Valley.
An employee said she was inside the restaurant when she saw a man wearing a white tank top hitting one of the drive-thru windows. She locked herself in an inside room and called 911. While on the phone, she heard glass shattering.
When deputies arrived, they found 46-year-old Tony L. Gust at the drive-thru, armed with a 24-inch knife.
SCSO said Gust was acting erratically and “made a nonsensical statement” to deputies.
Eventually, deputies were able to de-escalate the situation and arrest Gust.
He was booked into Spokane County Jail for third-degree malicious mischief and intimidation with a weapon, but was released shortly after booking due to the overcrowded status of the jail.
Later that day, around 11:30 p.m., the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a hay display on fire outside a business near Monroe Street and Summit Parkway.
SFD requested Spokane Police Department’s assistance with a man at the scene, armed with a mop handle, who was attempting to break windows.
SPD arrived and identified the man as Gust. SCSO said Gust had entered the closed business.
SPD said Gust caused damage to the business in excess of $6,500.
He was arrested and booked into Spokane County Jail for burglary, arson and malicious mischief. He was also rebooked on the charges from earlier in the day.
On Tuesday, a Spokane County Superior Court Commissioner set Gust’s bond at $36,500. As of Wednesday evening, Gust is still in jail.
SCSO said this was Gust’s ninth arrest of 2025.
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