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

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

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