CRIME BLOTTER

17-year-old arrested for string of armed robberies across multiple counties

Jul 3, 2026, 8:48 AM | Updated: 3:08 pm

seattle man dies in custody...

A Seattle Police Department vehicle at a blocked off crime scene. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

The Seattle Police Department (SPD) arrested a 17-year-old boy for his connection to a series of robberies across multiple counties.

The investigation started in late May when SPD officers were called to a gas station on Seattle’s Aurora Avenue after the store was held up at gunpoint. According to the victim of the robbery, a young man wearing a yellow and pink face mask and a dark blue jacket entered the business and demanded cash at gunpoint.

The victim was punched in the face before the business was robbed.

According to SPD Sergeant Brian Whicker, the department began to believe this robbery was one of many committed by a group of youths who targeted convenience and beauty supply stores.

“They [the suspects] were targeting businesses from Lakewood, to Issaquah, to Bellevue, to Seattle,” Whicker said. “They caused significant trauma. The suspects entered the stores armed and aggressively pointed firearms, causing significant fear to all victims involved.”

It is not known how the SPD was able to locate and arrest the 17-year-old, as of this reporting, but the SPD believes there are multiple suspects connected to the string of robberies. SPD is working closely with investigators from the Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Lakewood, and Issaquah Police Departments to find more suspects.

“They stole anywhere from hundreds to thousands,” Whicker added. “Targeting small businesses, some businesses multiple times.”

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to call the SPD Crime Tip Line at (206) 233-5000.

This is a developing story, check back for updates

Follow Frank Sumrall on X. Send news tips here.

Crime Blotter

seattle police bodycam bite of seattle shooting...

MyNorthwest Staff

Teen suspect in Bite of Seattle shooting released to home detention

The 15-year-old suspect in the Bite of Seattle shooting was ordered released to electronic home detention Wednesday.

5 hours ago

Seattle taco burglary...

MyNorthwest Staff

Seattle taqueria ‘completely cleaned out’ after three consecutive nights of burglaries

A Columbia City taqueria, Taco City, has been burglarized three nights in a row and "completely cleaned out" this week.

6 hours ago

burien gun drugs arrest...

MyNorthwest Staff

Driver clocked at 70 mph in Burien leads police to drugs, guns and two arrests

A traffic stop for speeding in Burien netted two arrests, the seizure of various drugs, and the recovery of two firearms on Tuesday morning.

6 hours ago

tukwila locksmith scam...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Locksmith scam targeting businesses reported in Tukwila

The Tukwila Police Department said a locksmith scam that previously targeted other south King County cities earlier this year has been reported in Tukwila.

7 hours ago

Belltown 76th shooting suspect...

Regan Gallo-Fenz

Suspect in deadly Belltown gas station shooting arrested in Chicago

Michael Fleming has been identified and charged in the killing of a clerk at a 76 gas station in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.

20 hours ago

tacoma officer-involved shooting...

Jason Sutich

3 adults arrested in fatal shooting of teenage boy in Tacoma

Three adults were arrested on Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of a teenage boy in Tacoma.

1 day ago

17-year-old arrested for string of armed robberies across multiple counties