MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Community rallies around lemonade stand after robbery

Jun 29, 2022, 6:01 PM

Photo from Darren Dedo Photo from Darren Dedo Photo from Darren Dedo Photo from Darren Dedo

Some Tacoma girls were making big bucks at their lemonade stand — until a robber stole their profits.

On Sunday, Grace DeWitt reported to Tacoma Police that a young man had stolen $80 from her daughters and nieces’ lemonade stand set up outside their house on Northpoint Way.

The stand was run by four girls: 13-year-old Leah Sleeper, 10-year-old Zaylani Juarez, and 6-year-olds Layla DeWitt and Gabriela Sleeper.

According to DeWitt, the suspected robber stopped by once before the robbery and told the girls he forgot to bring cash. When he came back, he asked for a cup of lemonade. Instead, he stuck his hand in the register and pulled out the girls’ hard-earned money.

A Renton woman inspired bake sales around the world to stop Asian hate

Zaylani says a man took their cash and drove away in a blue SUV.

“It made me super mad because he did it with a huge smile on his face and ran off giggling to his car,” Zaylani said.

The local community has since come together for the kids, supporting their stand enough that they were even able to buy a snow cone machine for their burgeoning business.

The girls had some tough words for the thief out there.

It was super rude of you to do that because we’re just kids we didn’t do anything to you that would make you want to rob us,” Zaylani said.

MyNorthwest News

KIRO Newsradio gracie awards...

MyNorthwest Staff

KIRO Newsradio anchors receive Gracie Awards for outstanding work

Heather Bosch and Lisa Brooks, anchors at KIRO Newsradio, have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media with prestigious Gracie Awards.

58 minutes ago

Kia Boys...

Kate Stone, KIRO Newsradio and Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest

‘Kia Boys’ allegedly execute a crime spree in south King County

Renton police chased down a 14-and 16-year-old but are still looking for two other teen suspects in what they said was a "crime spree" in south King County.

2 hours ago

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

3 hours ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

4 hours ago

Everett boy missing...

Sam Campbell

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

5 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

15 hours ago

Community rallies around lemonade stand after robbery