Suspect in clown mask robs Poulsbo convenience store

Deputies in Kitsap County have uncovered some clues about a convenience store robber in a clown mask who got away.

The crime happened early Saturday morning on Highway 3 near Poulsbo, and the crook had a knife and got away with some cash.

Group looks for help addressing mental health crisis for police in Washington

Sergeant Ken Dickinson is with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office. He says he doesn’t see many robbers in clown masks these days.

“It is pretty unusual. There was a time in the past when there was a trend going on nationwide with the clown mask thing, but that was a couple of years ago. We haven’t had anything like that recently,” he said.

Seattle’s Mayor, Police Chief announce extra patrols for holidays

Why a clown mask? It’s hard to say. The suspect may like clowns or perhaps that was the only mask he had lying around. Many people will likely continue to fear clowns regardless.

“It’s kind of creepy, I’ll acknowledge that, but I don’t know that he wore it to instill fear or terror or if it was just a disguise that he had handy,” Sergeant Dickinson said.

The store owner says he has an idea who might be responsible and gave deputies some names to investigate. The suspect left the mask behind and investigators have tested it for fingerprints, so it’s unlikely that this fellow is destined to become a megalomaniac villain who battles Batman.

With reporting from KIRO Radio

Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest