Araignment Monday for Issaquah men suspected in robbery

Two Issaquah men charged with first-degree robbery for beating and robbing a cab driver will be arraigned Monday Nov. 17.

Two Issaquah men charged with first-degree robbery for beating and robbing a cab driver are scheduled to be arraigned Monday, Nov. 17.

King County Prosecutors charged Jeffrey P. Evans, 22, and Matthew A. Richard, 19, in connection with calling a cab driver early on the morning of Oct. 2 to the Overdale Park neighborhood. There they allegedly beat him with brass knuckles, bound his wrists with zip ties and clear tape, then stole cash, his keys and cell phone, according to charging documents.

According to the papers: the driver arrived at the 5100 block of 232nd Avenue at about 4 a.m., where he met a man waiting with three bags. The driver got out and helped the man load them into the trunk, when he was approached by two other men, both wearing bandanas over their eyes and armed with handguns. One wore brass knuckles.

They gave orders such as “give me everything,” and “get down on the ground.” They took $150 from his shirt pocket, then one suspect kicked the driver in the shoulder and legs, while the other tied him up. They then stole his keys and cell phone and left the scene, documents state.

The driver was able to free his hands and find a hidden key to the car. He drove to a nearby home, and a resident there called 911.

A police investigation of the crime scene found a Motorola cell phone left in the road, which was listed as belonging to Evans. The phone received repeated calls from Richard while in police possession, and a search of call records from the phone and cab company led police to the man who called for the cab.

That man gave police an account of the robbery, and was able to identify both Evans and Richard in a line up. He has not been charged in connection with the robbery.

A search of Evans’ and Richard’s residence uncovered a blue bandana and a set of brass knuckles.

Both men are being held in King County Jail. Evans, who has a criminal history including convictions for residential burglary, second-degree burglary, first-degree reckless burning, first-degree criminal trespassing, third-degree malicious mischief, fourth-degree assault and reckless driving, is being held on $50,000 bail. Richard, who has no criminal history, had bail set at $20,000.