West Seattle Crime Watch update: Police arrest Junction bank-robbery suspect

| Crime | West Seattle news

11:47 AM: Just in from Seattle Police via Twitter:

Officers searching for suspect pictured, after he robbed a bank in the 4000 block SW Alaska St. Call 911 if seen. pic.twitter.com/o3Y8v4CxaZ

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) July 27, 2016

The search is under way now; we’re on our way to find out more.

12:01 PM: SPD had said only “4000 block of SW Alaska,” where there are two banks; our crew has just confirmed it was the Bank of America branch, which has a note on the door saying it’s temporarily closed. No police visible in the area – bank-robber searches often fan out fast – so we haven’t yet obtained additional details.

1:11 PM: SPD has since tweeted that the suspect shown in the photo is in custody.

Chuck July 27, 2016 (12:09 pm)

Amazing to me that with all that plexiglass (has to be 3″ thick) that a robbery can still take place. I feel bad for the tellers–they are all very nice people!

B July 27, 2016 (6:05 pm)

Chuck – I’m not sure but I imagine the bank’s policy is to cooperate with the robber. The glass is for protection, but they’re probably not looking to test it. Give the perp the cash, let him go out, and no one gets hurt (but hopefully the perp gets caught).

Chuck July 27, 2016 (12:14 pm)

And, who wears a backpack as a “chestpack?” Suspicious from the get-go. Have to wonder if he didn’t threaten having an explosive device in that pack…

newnative July 27, 2016 (12:22 pm)

wearing the backpack in the front is pretty common. Please don’t pick on fashion/accessory. Focus on the crime and public safety, not how people dress/accessorize.
- Chuck July 27, 2016 (12:34 pm)
  
  Sure thing. But I’d never have thought about it had he not just ROBBED A BANK. Shakes head…
- Gatewooder July 27, 2016 (12:50 pm)
  
  I wear my pack that way when I’m on crowded public transportation so that I don’t bash people behind me, many people do the same. Checking Metro bus cameras would be a good idea, that may have been how he got to the Junction area.

Anni Lanigan July 27, 2016 (12:18 pm)

So that’s what the persistent helicopter out here in lower Alki for past 45 min is about?

WSB July 27, 2016 (12:36 pm)

Our crew didn’t see helicopters in The Junction. But I would guess if you’ve seen them over Alki, it’s for the canoe arrivals – we were about to head there when we found out about the robbery and had to divert, so now we’re just getting to Alki a half-hour later than planned, don’t know if they’ve arrived yet. (See preview story in the spotlight boxes atop the home page, if you didn’t see either of the previews we’ve done in the past week.) – Tracy

Westgirl July 27, 2016 (12:21 pm)

I hear the helicopter over the Junction!

Joe Dirt July 27, 2016 (12:23 pm)

Surprise surprise. Wondered why ghetto birds were up. Thanks.

watertowerjoey July 27, 2016 (12:29 pm)

Yeah, that plexiglass is thick and meant to deter. Wonder how he did it?

Double Dub Resident July 27, 2016 (12:52 pm)

Was this successful, because I got an email that it was a bank robbery attempt?

WSB July 27, 2016 (1:05 pm)

DD, all that SPD has released is what was in the tweet here. I called immediately since it wasn’t clear which bank it was – there are two in the block cited – and they wouldn’t even tell me that. (Patrick did arrive a few minutes later to confirm it was B of A.) I hope they either will write it up on SPD Blotter or else be willing to answer questions a bit later.

Lisa July 27, 2016 (1:06 pm)

I live on 35th near Hudson and saw a helicopter flying above our house right after I read the post on WSB.

WSB July 27, 2016 (1:10 pm)

Update, while we were headed here to Alki to cover the canoes … SPD arrested the suspect, per this tweet. https://twitter.com/SeattlePD/status/758384853834268672

Will update with any more info we get.

Stefen July 27, 2016 (1:42 pm)

Wow, it took like 2 hours to catch the guy? I wonder if he showed the teller his ID.

trice July 27, 2016 (2:47 pm)

“Ghetto birds”…really? Not even funny.

Petunia July 27, 2016 (5:12 pm)

Way to go SPD!

Mr. X July 27, 2016 (5:34 pm)

The guy from Orange County Choppers?!?

MJ July 27, 2016 (7:59 pm)

I wonder how a bank robber goes into custody but a black mental health professional on the ground with hands in air gets shot. I mean I know why, but you’d think more bank robbers would be shot; there’ve been a few lately.

WSB July 27, 2016 (8:10 pm)

We have zero additional information on the circumstances here, whether any weapon was shown or implied, where or how the suspect was found – SPD never blotterized it and I couldn’t get a live person on the phone before they closed for the day. Most likely I won’t get incident details until the suspect’s theoretical bail hearing tomorrow. There’s one person on the register who is probably the one, but has no record that I can find, so I won’t even be able to verify it’s him until talking to police and/or prosecutors tomorrow. – TR