Armed robbers terrorize Lynnwood in recent spree

Lynnwood police are investigating a string of armed robberies that all happened after dark around the city.

Detective Brian Jorgensen says all the robberies involve a suspect or a group walking up to a victim on the street, pulling a gun and demanding cell phones and cash.

“We’ve had five within a week, two of them were within 15 minutes of each other last week and then we had two more within 15 minutes of each other Wednesday night,” Jorgensen says.

Here are details of the recent robberies:

Sept. 25 — A 33-year-old Granite Falls resident was walking alone around 9:50 p.m. in the 17600 block of 36th Avenue West. Police said he was approached by two black men in their late 20s. The men held out a gun and demanded his cellphone. He handed over his phone and the suspects left in a dark colored vehicle. One suspect was described as 5’8″ tall with a thin build.

Sept. 27 — A 21-year-old exchange student was approached by three black males around 8:15 p.m. in the 5200 block of 196th Street at Wilcox Park. One of the suspects — all described as about 5’11” tall with thin builds — held out a gun and demanded the victim’s iPod. The victim kept walking and he was assaulted, police said. He didn’t receive any serious injuries, and none of his things were stolen.

Sept 27 — A 16-year-old was walking in the 19100 block of 52nd Avenue around 8:30 p.m. when she was approached by two black males. They displayed a handgun and robbed her of headphones, cell phone and backpack.

Oct. 1 — Three 16 year old exchange students were walking around 9:12 p.m. in the 17400 block of 44th Avenue West when they were approached by three white males. Two of the suspects brandished guns and robbed the girls of their cellphones. They left in a dark colored vehicle.

Oct. 1 — A 25-year-old man was approached by a black male in his 20s while walking at 9:40 in the 17600 block of Spruce Way. The victim was walking with his cellphone when the black male asked him for the time. The victim complied, but as he looked down the suspect held out a gun and demanded the victim’s cellphone, police said. The victim — who has a valid concealed pistol license — pulled out his own handgun. The suspect ran off and jumped in a nearby vehicle, fleeing would any property.

Jorgensen says police have few leads. They’re asking anyone with information to contact him at 425-670-5632.