Update: Armed robbery at West Seattle Jack in the Box

Police confirm the Jack in the Box on Admiral Way was robbed around 5:30 this morning – police are looking for two suspects described as black males wearing ski masks, one described as about 6 feet tall, 160 to 180 pounds, gray sweatshirt and black pants, armed with a gun; the other was described as about 6 feet tall and carrying a green backpack. There’s a report that someone was hurt during the robbery – hit by one of the robbers, according to SPD media unit Det. Mark Jamieson. A sergeant on the scene tells us the injury wasn’t serious. K-9 officers have been out trying to track the robbers, but they haven’t been able to find anyone so far. 7:47 AM: Police have now taken the tape down, though we haven’t yet confirmed whether the restaurant has reopened. 8:17 AM: Went back to check. There are signs on the door and drive-up saying it’s temporarily closed. (P.S. THANK YOU to everyone who called and e-mailed about this. Best way to alert us when you see a huge police presence is our 24-hour phone line, 206-293-6302, so please consider adding that to your mobile contacts! Thanks!) 1:18 PM NOTE: The restaurant was open again in time for lunch.

Sparks February 8, 2010 (7:40 am)

And they made off with, what, almost 45 bucks? Morons.

mark February 8, 2010 (7:41 am)

Wow. The gas station last week, Jack today, both early in the morning, do they think there is a connection?Thats scary, and really really stupid. I know, anyone dumb enough to do this kind of stuff has a screw loose already but I would guess the police might be a little trigger happy these days. I doubt this will end peacefully for the perps.

WSB February 8, 2010 (7:43 am)

I asked SPD media if they know yet whether this is related to the current “robbery pattern” in this area – too soon for them to say but definitely detectives will be looking at that.

austin February 8, 2010 (8:16 am)

I’ve always wondered what a jack in the box is doing right there. Isn’t the one on 4th ave close enough?

WSB February 8, 2010 (8:17 am)

It’s been other things over the years. When we got here in 1991, if memory serves … it was Herfy’s.

John February 8, 2010 (8:20 am)

There’s a Jack-in-the-Box in West Seattle? Over 10 years here and I never knew.

AnotherIdiotInWS February 8, 2010 (8:22 am)

Hey Austin… do you think that Jack in the Box *shouldn’t* be there? What does the location have to do with the robbery? And do you think for a minute people would prefer to go to 4th Ave South to get a hamburger? I guess I am missing your point.

Lola February 8, 2010 (8:25 am)

Do we need a little more police pressence in West Seattle?

I work over by Renton and I have never seen so many cops then in downtown Renton Motorcycle cops, patrol cars, and sneaker cops in un-marked cars. Maybe SPD needs to ask Renton what they are doing?

cjboffoli February 8, 2010 (8:38 am)

Lola: The Renton police mean business. I was in Renton recently, photographing spawning salmon in the Cedar River, and a week later I got a $100 ticket in the mail for going 25 in a school zone. They have traffic cameras everywhere. Maybe that’s how they pay for all of their extra Po-Po.

GenHillOne February 8, 2010 (9:01 am)

I believe the mini-mart culprits were described as white and 5’5″ – 5’6″ so I wouldn’t think these are the same guys.

kittylove February 8, 2010 (9:11 am)

i hate to hear this. the morning crew at JITB are great. i hope everyone is okay.

austin, i’m glad they are there….i would hate it if my only fast food option was mcdonalds.

SarahScoot February 8, 2010 (9:14 am)

I’d prefer a mini Trader Joe’s where the JitB is. :P
Seriously, though, I was wondering just last week about how that JitB survives here… there must be people who go there, though.

Miles February 8, 2010 (9:31 am)

Wow, just like the comment thread last week on Tony’s Market re-opening turning into a debate on organic food….a robbery at Jack-in-the-Box turns into a debate on if it should even be there!

I think if a spaceship landed in West Seattle the comments would go something like this: “I didn’t know we had a spaceship landing pad in West Seattle!!” or “I’d prefer a mini Trader Joe’s where the spaceship landing pad is.”

WSB February 8, 2010 (9:45 am)

Yes, Miles, and that’s just how conversations go, whether in person or online. We don’t socialize a lot but having a few people over for Super Bowl last night reminded us of that reality. There are relatively few drive-thru food places in West Seattle; I once wondered if city codes had something to do with it – lived in Davis, CA, for a few years long ago, and the Jack in the Box was the only drive-thru in town at the time- grandfathered in despite city codes that subsequently banned them.

Living in West Seattle Since 1985 February 8, 2010 (9:35 am)

There is always a line of cars around the Admiral Jack in the Box Drive through, particularly at lunch and dinner time. It worries me that the robbers would choose some place so public, on a big main road. Lots of high school kids go there to grab something before or after school. It could have been much worse than just someone getting hit and a few dollars taken. Just No Good!

Gina February 8, 2010 (9:37 am)

Jack in the Box and McDonald’s are near West Seattle High School. If you have ever eaten a school lunch, you would not question why both eateries do so well.

jtm February 8, 2010 (9:43 am)

I’m getting sick of this violence near my home. What can be done about it? (Other than neighborhood watch, which really can’t prevent armed robbery.) Do we need to become more vocal with SPD about having more patrols in West Seattle? This is a serious frustration that needs to be addressed!

brandon February 8, 2010 (9:46 am)

Miles:
Point. Set. Match!

My thoughts exactly, lol!
People’s LIVES are at risk, and some people can only think about their own agenda.

WSB February 8, 2010 (9:48 am)

PS to the original point, no new info yet from police – TR

Miles February 8, 2010 (10:00 am)

Don’t get me wrong WSB, I love reading these comment threads! They are informative, current, addictive and lots of times off the wall and goofy.

On a serious note, these robberies and residential break-ins are really a major concern. We had a rash or robberies in my Arbor Heights neighborhood (including my house) about a year ago. We did have a neighborhood watch meeting afterward and many of us have become much more acquainted and aware of each other and our properties.

I have to think it’s made a difference.

coffee February 8, 2010 (10:27 am)

You would be surprised at the amount of business this store does. I know some JITB corporate staff.

KBear February 8, 2010 (10:34 am)

I wish Jack in the Box carried more organics…

me February 8, 2010 (10:40 am)

Maybe if the police weren’t so busy hiding around corners on Highland Park Way to make their quota they could actually be around for important things like armed robberies. Just a thought.

SarahScoot February 8, 2010 (10:55 am)

I’m sorry, you’re right, we shouldn’t stray from the original topic. Instead, we should make borderline-racist and classist comments about how West Seattle is becoming “the ‘hood.” That’s much more productive.

mark February 8, 2010 (11:20 am)

Spot on Miles. Trader Joe’s would do great at that spot!

AnotherIdiotInWS February 8, 2010 (11:58 am)

Wow! Mark, you, Miles and Austin should open up a Cheapo Joe’s. After all, Austin sure knows that Jack in the Box shouldn’t be there, and YOU know what would do “great in that spot.” Don’t you think if the good people at TJ’s thought they would do “great,” they would have a store SOMEWHERE in West Seattle?

Come on… a person got HIT, and a gun was used during a robbery. Don’t you think you ought to stick to the subject?

M February 8, 2010 (11:58 am)

I see police almost every day, and I live in the Alki neighborhood which is not to far away. Stupid stuff happens everywhere. More police will just add more job-justification (more speeding/parking tickets, jaywalking tickets, etc) I think the balance is good at present

mark February 8, 2010 (12:07 pm)

Anotheridiot, relax, I was making fun of Miles. I actually live very close to that Jack in the Box and am often out walking my dog close to that time (not today) so its an issue that matters to me. I don’t hold out much hope however, we have had some shaddy behavior in our neighborhood lately and it typically takes an hour + for any police response.

Ken February 8, 2010 (12:25 pm)

I know how tempting it is to think that more police will always solve these problems, but for the most part police have to be reactive instead of proactive. They simply can’t be on every corner all the time, and would you really want that if it was possible?

I don’t have any easy answers either, but the reflexive call for more cops isn’t a panacea IMHO.

Velo_nut February 8, 2010 (12:48 pm)

Where else can you get 2 delish tacos for 99 cents?

laurel February 8, 2010 (2:34 pm)

We need more prisons and longer sentences and of course less reproducing in the crack cocaine community.

WSB February 8, 2010 (3:44 pm)

Police have just gone public with many more details, so we’ve published them in a followup:
https://westseattleblog.com/2010/02/followup-police-release-new-details-of-jack-in-the-box-holdup

AnotherIdiotInWS February 8, 2010 (2:42 pm)

I think what we need is to not read the comments. That scares me more than thieves with a gun. At least all they want is my money.

Bruce W February 9, 2010 (8:55 am)

If you think what WE need to do is to not read the comments…why don’t you lead by example instead of telling everyone else what they should and shouldn’t be doing? Can’t wait for your reply when you come back to read the comments again.

AnotherIdiotInWS February 12, 2010 (11:27 am)

Yeah, Bruce! You sure showed that “idiot.” Actually, I think his/her point was that instead of getting upset at what people are writing about – he/she would rather not. AnotherIdiot is pointing out that there are some slightly racist or ignorant (or both) things being said in the comments. I noticed you didn’t go after Laurel who advised you to pay more taxes so “we” can have more prisons and to pay for the sterilization procedures for people who live in crack communities. Did you actually read what people are saying in the comments for this and other so-called “stories?”

Also, I notice AnotherIdiot IS leading by example, just like you said.