MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Community rallies around lemonade stand after robbery

Jun 29, 2022, 6:01 PM

Some Tacoma girls were making big bucks at their lemonade stand — until a robber stole their profits.

On Sunday, Grace DeWitt reported to Tacoma Police that a young man had stolen $80 from her daughters and nieces’ lemonade stand set up outside their house on Northpoint Way.

The stand was run by four girls: 13-year-old Leah Sleeper, 10-year-old Zaylani Juarez, and 6-year-olds Layla DeWitt and Gabriela Sleeper.

According to DeWitt, the suspected robber stopped by once before the robbery and told the girls he forgot to bring cash. When he came back, he asked for a cup of lemonade. Instead, he stuck his hand in the register and pulled out the girls’ hard-earned money.

A Renton woman inspired bake sales around the world to stop Asian hate

Zaylani says a man took their cash and drove away in a blue SUV.

“It made me super mad because he did it with a huge smile on his face and ran off giggling to his car,” Zaylani said.

The local community has since come together for the kids, supporting their stand enough that they were even able to buy a snow cone machine for their burgeoning business.

The girls had some tough words for the thief out there.

It was super rude of you to do that because we’re just kids we didn’t do anything to you that would make you want to rob us,” Zaylani said.

Please follow our Community Guidelines

MyNorthwest News

stolen excavator facebook marketplace...

MyNorthwest Staff

Man tries to sell stolen excavator on Facebook Marketplace, owner recognizes it

A man is facing charges after Pierce County deputies said he tried to sell a stolen excavator on Facebook Marketplace.

44 minutes ago

costco boon boona coffee renton...

MyNorthwest Staff

Renton-based coffee company lands deal to be sold in Puget Sound Costco locations

Renton-based Boon Boona Coffee is headed to Costco. The East African coffee roaster has landed a deal to sell its Bereka Blend in eight Puget Sound warehouses.

3 hours ago

fire semi-truck crash Kittitas county...

MyNorthwest Staff

Semi-truck crash causes fire on eastbound I-90 in Kittitas County Tuesday

A single semi-truck crashed on eastbound I-90 Tuesday afternoon, causing a fire.

5 hours ago

mt. baker highway winter...

KIRO 7 News Staff

Mt. Baker Highway closed Wednesday and Thursday, prepping for winter

Both directions of Mt. Baker Highway (SR 542) will be closed on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5 hours ago

wdfw black bear poach oso...

Frank Sumrall

WDFW seeks public’s help identifying two men who allegedly poached black bear in Oso

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is searching for two men allegedly caught on camera hunting while trespassing on private property.

6 hours ago

costco churro...

MyNorthwest Staff

Costco brings back beloved food court item for first time since 2024

Churros will return to every U.S. location for a limited time. Costco’s chief financial officer, Gary Millerchip, confirmed the news during an earnings call.

7 hours ago

Community rallies around lemonade stand after robbery