Crime Watch update: Three arrests after 7-11 robbery attempt

Very early this morning, we reported here on an Admiral District robbery incident and subsequent search. Before we even picked up the phone this morning to call Seattle Police to find out more about what happened, we received an update from Lt. Steve Paulsen at the Southwest Precinct: It was actually an attempted holdup at the Admiral Way 7-11 — according to a police summary, a “Hispanic male with bandanna concealing his face, black jacket with hood, armed with a handgun” tried to hold up the store, but the store clerk ran and hid, and the would-be robber ran out. Police responded quickly, set up “containment in the area,” called in K-9, and found a car with three “Hispanic males and a handgun” in the 4400 block of SW College (map). Police have not yet confirmed whether these three were also involved in the recent spree in West Seattle, White Center, and South Seattle (here’s our most recent report, with video and photos), but they acknowledge the same thing we observed last night – looks possible – we will be following up when more information’s released.

d January 4, 2009 (10:52 am)

To the Men and Women of the SW Precinct & SPD:

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!

toddinwestwood January 4, 2009 (11:11 am)

If they did indeed catch the “F”s that have been responsable for the other robberies too, awesome job SPD!

Mike January 4, 2009 (1:05 pm)

Glad SPD might have found the suspects. Crooks should know better than to attempt anything that close to where the Mayor lives, SPD are alll over this area all the time. I’ve always had quick response time when I call something in.

WSB January 4, 2009 (1:21 pm)

Funny, part of that sentiment occurred to us while writing this update — “They fled TOWARD THE MAYOR’S HOUSE?” Perhaps the plan WAS to make a getaway toward the bridge, since that seems to be part of the Admiral area’s vulnerability in burglaries. Some of the stores hit previously in the potentially related spree, in White Center and Highland Park, also had relatively convenient freeway access (path to 509, etc.).

roundthesound January 4, 2009 (2:23 pm)

Ah, the beauty of the peninsula is there are really only a couple options for escape. Glad to hear these suspects were arrested without incident.

Irukandji January 4, 2009 (3:05 pm)

I’d love to know what the vehicle was. There were guys tagging the doors in our neighborhood last week in a ‘suspicious’ way – a neighbor contacted the South Precinct about the activity and vehicle.

k January 4, 2009 (9:15 pm)

Yea SPD!! Thank you!!

roberto jose January 4, 2009 (10:32 pm)

FYI. Jose G. Torres aged 18, Lopez I. Valenzuela aged 21, and Edgar Villegas aged 18 are in custody. Currently, they have all been denied bail. Torres and Villegas both have criminal records in the King County Juvenile Offender’s DataBase. In July 2008, Torres spent 3 days in Juvenile Detention having been convicted of Theft 1. Villegas was jailed for 2 days in November 2008. He had been convicted of Auto Theft. Villegas also served 2 days in Juvenile Detention during August 2008 for an additional conviction for Auto Theft. Apparently, Valenzuela has no prior Juvenile Convictions in King County. DO YOU SEE SOMETHING WRONG HERE? These fine young men having received mere “slaps on the wrist” as Juvenile Offenders, are now victimizing our community with Armed Robbery. Oh sure, they’re innocent until proven guilty. And that will cost King County about $75,000 dollars in court-related expenses. Obviously they will obtain court-appointed counsel. Or, the Office of the Prosecutor will just allow these fine young men to plea to a misdemeanor. And they will be released with time-served as their sentence. These alleged armed robbers biggest mistake is that they waited until they became adults before engaging in their spree of Armed Robberies. And even if they are sentenced to jail or prison for their offenses – then is a great opportunity for them to meet other criminals and enhance their knowledge of criminal behavior. Oh, and by the way, they will serve less than 2 years upon conviction. You see, our current jail facilities are already filled-to-capacity. It is time for King County Public Officials to build another jail and start trying 16 & 17 year old criminals as adults.

Ron January 5, 2009 (11:24 am)

Id like to know if these guys are here illegally. Time to rethink our stupid sanctuary city policy. Cheers

mv January 5, 2009 (3:51 pm)

Hispanic name equals illegal immigrant… how clever of you Ron, I bet you would make an awesome private detective!
LOL

charlabob January 6, 2009 (5:26 pm)

Geographical note and thanks (to both SPD and WSB — when I hear about this tonight I knew immediately where to find details.)

Going from the 7/11 to the bridge takes you away from the mayor’s house. They were almost out of range :-)

WSB January 6, 2009 (5:30 pm)

I know – but at the time they fled northbound on 44th from the 7-11 – the mayor is northwest of the 7-11 – so they would have only had to go a few blocks more to have been right in his hood – if they HAD fled east, that would have been toward the bridge. Guess we can provide a criminal map. Not. BTW bail for one of these suspects was set at $100K – another at $10K – another at $5K – deadline for charges is tomorrow so we should get more details on the case then. All three are still in jail as of right now, per the county jail register.

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