West Seattle Crime Watch: Police search after pizza-shop robbery

11:35 PM: Police are searching right now for someone who robbed the Papa John’s pizza shop on California SW north of Brandon. A K-9 team is joining the search too. According to scanner traffic, this happened after closing time – the robber is reported to have broken glass to get in and steal cash. It’s described as a strong-arm robbery, no weapon reported to have been seen. The suspect was described as a white man, 20s to 30s, stocky, dark clothing, possibly carrying some kind of bag. A fire crew is going to the scene too, because one person is reported hurt.

2:01 AM: Just checked with Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams, who says no one’s been arrested, but they might have some evidence: “Officers did locate some clothing in an alley that may or may not have been worn by the suspect.”

11:05 AM: SPD Blotter now has a report on the robbery – no major new details – see it here.

Will January 7, 2013 (11:56 pm)

Just took the dog out saw police cruising by looking for the perp. Live just off Edmonds. Was curious what was up. Thanks for keeping the community up to date WSB! Hopefully they catch him.

cjboffoli January 8, 2013 (6:25 am)

That’s the third time in three years! I wonder what makes that place so attractive to thieves.
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https://westseattleblog.com/2010/10/west-seattle-crime-watch-armed-robbery-at-papa-johns
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https://westseattleblog.com/2011/01/west-seattle-crime-watch-papa-johns-robbed-again

E January 8, 2013 (7:34 am)

I was thinking the same thing! I knew it had happened before but now three times!?

miws January 8, 2013 (7:53 am)

Christopher, Darn you for making me think this early in the day, after only a few sips of coffee! ;-).

Anyway, these were all late in the evening, and I wonder if that’s a major factor on many levels; perhaps near closing time, so the thieves may be under the impression that there’s quite a bit of money that hasn’t been dropped into the safe (not only till intake, but money coming in from the drivers). Not likely to be many, if any, customers that late; so fewer witnesses. Relatively quick and easy access out of WS (California—->Alaska—->Fauntleroy—->Expressway/Bridge, or Brandon—->Fauntleroy—->Expressway/Bridge) and little traffic that time of night.

Mike

cjboffoli January 8, 2013 (8:59 am)

Mike: Actually, that location on mid-California has less easy access to escape routes than other pizza shops in the Admiral, Alaska and Morgan Junctions.

WSB January 8, 2013 (11:42 am)

A reminder: If you have information on a possible motive or suspect in this or any crime, the place to voice that is with the police, not in a story comment. Thanks. – TR

LM January 8, 2013 (12:34 pm)

did this happend to them before?

Catherine January 8, 2013 (7:16 pm)

The times I have gone to pick up a pizza I’ve felt nervous walking to my car because it’s so dark and pushed back from the street. Especially the parking lot behind the store- really dark and creepy- unless more lighting has been added in the past couple of years.

Sorry, comment time is over.