A Ridgefield man is in custody after he allegedly robbed or attempted to rob two businesses in Salmon Creek.
On Feb. 10, Clark Mattox, 37, made his first appearance in Clark County Superior Court. He is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery, one count of first-degree assault, and one count of being a fugitive from justice. He is scheduled for an arraignment hearing on Feb. 23.
According to a probable cause affidavit for Mattox’s arrest, police received photos of a suspect, later identified as Mattox, who was involved with multiple armed robberies in the 14000 block of Northeast 20th Avenue on Feb. 4 and Feb. 7.
According to the affidavit, Mattox first robbed Dough Boys Pizza by gunpoint. Three days later, Mattox returned to the area and robbed the nearby Dream Nails business. In both cases, he demanded money and displayed a handgun, the affidavit stated. Mattox was able to get cash from the first business, though he left before he could do so at the second business, the affidavit stated.
Mattox’s vehicle was spotted several minutes before midnight on Feb. 7 in the parking lot of a nearby Winco store. Both Mattox and his wife were taken into custody without incident, the affidavit stated.
According to police records, Mattox “claimed to swallow narcotics” prior to his arrest. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation. The affidavit stated “he extendedly uttered ‘I am really sorry, I wasn’t trying to hurt anybody. I was just desperate.’”
