MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Shoplifter with HIV accused of biting a Nordstrom security guard pleads not guilty

Sep 9, 2022, 4:38 PM | Updated: Oct 19, 2022, 4:35 pm

shoplifter...

Photo from Flickr

On Thursday, King County Prosecutors said a shoplifting suspect, who bit a Nordstrom security guard and knew he had HIV, has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree robbery.

Court documents say it happened Aug. 22 at the Downtown Seattle Flagship store, where prosecutors say 30-year-old Keelan Jones tried stealing $300 in clothing but was stopped by security guards.

The Crime Blotter: ATF and Tacoma police arrest alleged repeat fentanyl dealer at Econo Lodge

According to court documents, Jones fought with them and bit one of the guards breaking his skin.

Prosecutors say Jones admitted to firefighters he is HIV positive.

The victim’s coworkers said he is doing okay, and investigators said he did not contract HIV.

According to the CDC, contracting HIV through biting is rare, but it can occur.

Jones is charged with second-degree robbery, a higher level charge, because of the assault.

Jones does not have a record of any felony convictions, he does, however, have several misdemeanor convictions.

Prosecutors have not heard yet if the victim contracted HIV.

Jones will be arraigned Sept. 15, but for now, he remains at the King County Jail on $25,000 bail.

MyNorthwest News

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service via Flickr Creat...

Tom Brock

Search launched in Okanogan County for missing plane with two people on board

Authorities launched a search for a missing small plane Saturday, that may have disappeared while flying over northeast Washington state.

10 hours ago

A photo of a Seattle Police Department vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)...

Tom Brock

Drive-by shooting at south Seattle nightclub leaves one dead, one injured

Seattle police are searching for a murder suspect after a drive-by shooting in south Seattle left a man dead and a woman hurt early Sunday morning.

15 hours ago

Washington State Ferries...

Luke Duecy

The Spin: Washington State Ferries’ ‘People First’ message puts workers ahead of stranded passengers

When a disruption hits Washington State Ferries, the public wants to know what happened, how long it will last, and what officials are doing to help.

18 hours ago

closures (1)...

Nate Connors

Seattle highway closures, southbound I-405 shutdown in Bothell mean weekend detours

Drivers traveling through Seattle and Bothell should plan for highway and ramp closures.

2 days ago

2 Tom Wales...

James Lynch

25 years after federal prosecutor Tom Wales’ killing, investigators say the case is still active

For 25 years, investigators have been pursuing the killing of Tom Wales, an assistant U.S. Attorney shot at his desk in his home in Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood. Federal officials said they are still investigating and need information that could turn what they know into evidence they can present in court. “This is an open […]

2 days ago

ferry (2)...

James Lynch

‘Not a problem that can be solved immediately’: Gov. Ferguson pledges to address ferry crew wage gaps

Gov. Ferguson said he’s committed to working with the union representing Washington State Ferries engine-room crews on wage gap concerns.

2 days ago

Shoplifter with HIV accused of biting a Nordstrom security guard pleads not guilty