Update: “Suspect” released after questioning in Junction robbery

(photo added 12:33 pm)
ORIGINAL 11:29 AM REPORT: Police confirm they are investigating a robbery at US Bank, 42nd and Edmunds in The Junction. This would be the second West Seattle bank robbery in less than a week, after the Alaska USA branch in QFC was held up late Friday afternoon (WSB coverage here). This time, according to Seattle Police media unit Officer Mark Jamieson, they have a suspect in custody – less than 10 minutes after the robbery, about 15 minutes ago, someone was stopped at 35th and Avalon. More information as we get it. 11:47 AM UPDATE: We’re at the reported arrest scene – while several police cars are parked at the 35th/Avalon 7-11, the main investigative activity is focused on the east side of Beni Hoshi Teriyaki (the former Yasuko’s).

(photo added 12:22 pm)
No one at that scene will comment yet on how the person who’s in custody was tracked there. 11:58 AM UPDATE: Now we’re back at the bank – it’s still closed, with a note on the door to that effect, and investigators are inside.

(photo added 12:25 pm)
12:45 PM UPDATE: New note on the door at the bank – “please use drive-through” – so it’s at least partly open.

2:45 PM UPDATE: New information from Officer Jamieson: Though the man who was detained at 35th/Avalon “matched (the robber’s) description” and was “100 percent positively identified” by a witness who was brought to the scene – he’s been released because after interviewing him, investigators believe he was NOT the robber. Their search continues. Officer Jamieson describes the robber as “a black male, late 20s to early 40s, 6 feet, medium build, a ‘Jamaican hat,’ dreadlocks, wearing a white sweatshirt.” If you have any information, call 911.

c July 15, 2009 (11:58 am)

I love you guys. I just drove and wondered what was going on and here is my answer.

snakehill July 15, 2009 (12:06 pm)

I saw the KIRO 7 chopper fly over my house and was wondering what was going on.

Living in West Seattle since 1985 July 15, 2009 (1:36 pm)

Great reporting! I took my dog to the Vet tday and was wondering what was going on.

bridge to somewhere July 15, 2009 (2:06 pm)

here’s hoping this is the suspect responsible for the westwood robbery too. . .

WSHC July 15, 2009 (2:06 pm)

Are you sure about photo #2? Judging by the paper bag on the trunk of the squad car, it looks like the boys in blue are picking up a take-out order :)

WSB July 15, 2009 (2:48 pm)

New information. Despite “100 percent certain identification by witnesses,” police say this was NOT the robber and have released him. See story update for description of who they are looking for. I am checking with the FBI to see if they have any visuals, which they sometimes do, in bank robberies – TR

MargL July 15, 2009 (3:58 pm)

Wow – I wonder if it’s the same guy:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/seattle911/archives/173799.asp

miws July 15, 2009 (5:12 pm)

MargL, I just saw that on KOMO 4 News, as wondered the same thing!

Mike

WSB July 15, 2009 (5:16 pm)

I’d seen that photo and suggested to Officer Jamieson during our followup conversation that you’d have to wonder if the hat/dreads were fake. But re: a tie, the FBI and I have exchanged phone messages and I’ve requested any available imagery re: this stickup and the one last Friday, plus whatever else they can say … TR