John’s Corner Deli robbery update: The latest from police

| Crime | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

The first question on everyone’s mind this morning was obviously – has anyone been caught yet, in connection with the robbery last night at John’s Corner Deli at 35th/Webster (original WSB coverage here)? We just talked with Officer Mark Jamieson in the Seattle Police media unit. The answer: No, no one in custody. Beyond that, two things: First, the media unit has just filed its summary of the situation on SPDBlotter, moments ago (see it here)- it mentions three details we didn’t have before: First, police say the robbers grabbed the entire cash register; second, they apparently got away in a vehicle, from a spot half a block away where the track followed by K-9 officers came to an end; third, the robbers were believed to be in their 30s. As for how the clerk is doing, we know he was taken to Harborview Medical Center, but information on his condition is not publicly available right now. Police are not saying whether the store got the incident on surveillance video but promise that if there are images to release to help in the search, we will get them so that they can be publicized. 10:14 AM UPDATE: We just went to the store to see if we could find out how the victim is doing. The shop is open again for business; the woman we spoke with didn’t want to say much more than, “My brother … is fine” and that they will be “OK.”

PSM March 27, 2009 (9:54 am)

Thank you so much for all the updates. We all appreciate them. Please keep us posted.

Wendy March 27, 2009 (10:13 am)

Thank you for the updates. This is my neigborhood, we frequently run to John’s for those last minute items. I feel so bad for the clerk. Things like this aren’t suppose to happen here… We need to band together as a community. Things are tough right now for a lot of people, focus on our community and keep it strong!

Todd March 27, 2009 (10:33 am)

I was in there at about 8:30, an hour before it happened, and there was also a young mother in there with a very small girl around 4 years old. It’s scary what difference an hour makes, how uglier it could have been. I’m really glad the clerk is Ok, he’s an exceptionally nice guy.

coffee geek March 27, 2009 (10:55 am)

Crap! I used to live near there. Hope they catch those morons, and hope the employee is okay. They make some tasty sandwiches in there, FYI…

Brian March 27, 2009 (11:17 am)

A block away from my house.

Feel.

So.

Angry.

Venkat March 27, 2009 (11:22 am)

sorry to hear about this – hope law enforcement efforts are fruitful!

Lucy March 27, 2009 (11:59 am)

We heard the helicopter last night and wondered what was going on. We live 2 blocks from the store. I figured I would check the blog this moring to find out. Glad to know but very sorry it happened and hope they get the guys and the clerk is ok.

arobar March 27, 2009 (1:16 pm)

Note to neighbors of John’s Deli: We have a neighborhood association and are trying to organize block watch efforts. Please sign up for communication at http://groups.google.com/group/SunriseHeights (email distribution) or http://sunriseheights.ning.com/ to stay abreast of upcoming meetings and information.

Paul in Gatewood March 27, 2009 (1:49 pm)

This really makes me sad and angry. Since moving to WS about a month ago, we’ve made numerous trips to Johns and they’ve always been nothing but nice to us. It’s great to have a business like this a block away from our house. I plan to shop there this weekend and wish them well. Our neighborhood is too good for two thugs to ruin things.

rnl March 27, 2009 (2:09 pm)

I say buy a lotto there & if you win – you both will win!

rockergirl March 27, 2009 (3:56 pm)

For anyone interested there is a Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association in tis area – http://sunriseheights.ning.com/
– Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Meeting’
Upcoming meeting. Date still tentative as we work with the location and speakers. Save the date for now!

Time: April 16, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
Location: SW Precinct
Event Description:
We’re planning another meeting for the neighborhood. Considering the recent unfortunate events (John’s Deli) it would be great to have a full house. Formal agenda to follow. Newsletter should be out weekend of 4/11.

Want to receive via email too? Sign up at http://groups.google.com/group/SunriseHeights

See more details and RSVP on Sunrise Heights Neighborhood Association:
http://sunriseheights.ning.com/events/event/show?id=2091088%3AEvent%3A1082&xgi=5hrcJ4d

This free portal is available to connect neighbors, provide and share information, inspire collaboration, and help enhance our community. This site is volunteer run (as is our neighborhood association) and it’s success depends on the participation and contribution of content from our neighbors (that means YOU).
– Got something to say and you’re curious what your neighbors think? Start a discussion in the Forum!
– Have an event coming up and you want the neighborhood to know? Post an Event!
– Interested in starting an initiative (for fun, work, or bettering the neighborhood) and looking for other neighbors who might be interested? Start a Group!

If you prefer to receive periodic updates via email, please send a request to be added to the email distribution group here http://groups.google.com/group/SunriseHeights

WSB March 27, 2009 (4:02 pm)

Hey, I didn’t know they had a website – will add it to the Neighborhood Groups list on our right sidebar – anyone else with a neighborhood group website (even a crimewatch site) that would be interested in being on the list, let us know.

Thanks, rockergirl. We’ll add it to the calendar, too, as we do with all neighborhood-group meetings … TR

AnnaMontana March 27, 2009 (4:37 pm)

I live a half a block away and am in John’s almost every day of the week for one thing or another. Since we’ve been having all of these robberies in West Seattle, sometimes I get nervous standing in line because I worried that it was just a matter of time until these monsters hit John’s as well. I was in there yesterday a few hours before they hit. When I heard the helicopters directly overhead last night I got that sinking feeling that it was John’s but couldn’t confirm it until this morning when I saw their doors closed.

I hope the clerk is okay. The new owners and clerks are all so incredibly nice. They know me by name and sometimes toss in freebies that make them really stand out as true neighborhood deli. I’m going shopping there this weekend to show my support.

Lou March 27, 2009 (9:06 pm)

I live very close (6 houses away) and frequent the deli…I absolutely plan to do some additional shopping there this weekend in support of them. I love having a corner store. I didn’t grow up with one but after having John’s nearby, I’m very happy to have local deli a few doors away.

WTF March 28, 2009 (3:31 pm)

Hey rockergirl,
who administers the Sunrise Heights website?
When signing up, it asks for some personal information, but didn’t find a link with any formal description. Curious as to why the site needs to know my month/date/year of birth??
Any insights?

Sorry, comment time is over.