SPOKANE VALLEY — A man allegedly used a flowerpot to try and break into a bank on Saturday, according to the Spokane County Deputies.
SCSO said in a release deputies responded on Saturday around 11:40 a.m. to a reported burglary at a closed bank. They arrived to find the front glass door shattered by a flowerpot. The bank is located on the 500 block of N. Mullan Road in Spokane Valley.
Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (SREC) Officers confirmed with bank security that an unknown man was observed inside on their video system.
Spokane Valley and Spokane County Deputies on scene made several PA announcements to get the man to come out of the bank, but say he did not comply. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Richard N. Brown complied with commands several minutes later and was safely taken into custody.
SCSO said in the release that Brown “claimed he heard someone inside, and he became concerned for their welfare, so he broke the bank’s glass door to enter.” Deputies say Brown didn’t know why he had stayed inside for so long after not finding anyone, and he agreed it seemed a little ridiculous to do so. SCSO says Brown told them he heard them giving PA announcements and use-of-force warnings, but didn’t want to come out because he was “just making sure it was the right time.” Deputies noted Brown seemed coherent.
A bank employee estimated it’ll cost $5,000 to repair the damage.
Brown was booked into the Spokane County Jail for Burglary 2nd Degree and Malicious Mischief 1st Degree.
Over the weekend, his bond was set at $10,000, and he remains in jail.
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