Monday, March 31, 2025
35.0°F

Pair charged in bowling alley robbery waive hearings

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 4 months AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | November 18, 2022 1:06 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Two Spokane residents charged with staging a robbery at Sunset Bowling Center have waived their right to a preliminary hearing.

Brett C. Sears, 38, is charged with burglary, grand theft, eluding and criminal conspiracy, all felonies. Prosecutors also filed a habitual offender enhancement. Sears is expected to formally enter a plea next week.

Lindsey A. Little, 36, is charged with criminal conspiracy, grand theft, compounding a felony and possession of a controlled substance, all felonies. Her arraignment is scheduled for December.

The charges stem from the evening of Oct. 2, when Little called 911 to report a robbery at her workplace, Sunset Bowling Center in Coeur d’Alene.

Little told police that an unknown man, later identified as Sears, had attacked her, tied her hands and stole around $1,700 in cash before fleeing the bowling alley.

Security footage showed Sears pushing Little to the ground and taking money from a cash register, according to court documents.

Later that evening, Sears reportedly led Idaho State Police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed in a field and his vehicle rolled multiple times. He was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Investigators obtained text messages sent the day of the robbery. Via text, Little reportedly told Sears where to park in order to avoid surveillance cameras and told him he would need to tie her hands.

Call logs showed that the pair spoke on the phone for 17 minutes the night of the robbery.

When interviewed by police, Sears allegedly said Little had approached him with a plan to rob the bowling alley and split the stolen cash.

Little told police that the staged robbery was Sears’ idea and that he had pressured her into going along with the scenario.

Police arrested Little on Oct. 6 and Sears the following day, after his discharge from the hospital.

Little has since posted $35,000 bail, while Sears remains in jail on the same amount.

photo

Little

MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

Spokane pair staged robbery, police say
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 2 years, 5 months ago
Teens accused of downtown Cd'A crime spree face stiff penalties
Coeur d'Alene Press | Updated 6 years, 7 months ago
Woman pleads innocent to aiding casino robbery
Daily Inter-Lake | Updated 15 years, 8 months ago

ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH

Community Library Network’s new policies could fracture regional library consortium
March 26, 2025 1 a.m.

Community Library Network’s new policies could fracture regional library consortium

For decades, the Community Information Network has enabled libraries in North Idaho and eastern Washington to share their collections and broadened patrons’ access to materials. Now a restrictive policy for minor library cardholders in the Community Library Network, unlike any other in the library consortium, could mean that patrons across the region lose access to library materials.

March 22, 2025 1 a.m.

Washington man acquitted after fatal crash

A jury acquitted a Washington man who was accused of driving while under the influence and causing a crash that killed a Benewah County man.

North Idaho College settles Rumpler lawsuit
March 22, 2025 1:05 a.m.

North Idaho College settles Rumpler lawsuit

North Idaho College has settled a lawsuit leveled by a former employee.