UPDATE: About the Admiral District police response

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4:52 PM: Thanks for the tips about police “in tactical gear” chasing a suspect just south of Admiral/California. So far as we know, this is a warrant arrest. An SFD engine was dispatched because the suspect claimed to have gotten hurt in the process. Working to find out more.

5:32 PM: The scene was clear when we got there, so we won’t be able to find out anything more until tomorrow.

ADDED 10:10 AM MONDAY: A commenter said last night that this was an arrest of another robbery-spree suspect; a check of the jail register this morning confirms that (updated) one of the additional potential suspects named in court documents was indeed booked last night. We’re asking SPD for confirmation about whether a “flashbang” – used in some warrant/standoff situations – is what led to the “explosion” noise some reported last night.

11:12 AM: SPD confirms that what was heard was a noise-making device used by SWAT. The warrant on which the 19-year-old suspect is being held, so far, actually is related to a case from last year. Meantime, today is the rush-charging deadline for the two “spree” suspects arrested Friday so we’ll have a separate update later.

George Riddell December 10, 2019 (5:02 pm)

Just left the Safeway parking lot where a huge police response is investigating at the rear of the Chase Bank branch (Admiral @ California). One police vehicle is labeled Robbery Investigation Unit. After watching multiple officers climbing onto the roof of the bank building, this does not seem like a warrant arrest to me. Just sayin.

WSB December 10, 2019 (5:18 pm)

Scene was clear by the time we arrived. However, yes, wanted suspects are arrested by special police units *often*. SWAT team arresting robbery-spree suspect in High Point on Friday, for example. – TR
Rachael Henry December 10, 2019 (5:55 pm)

I agree 100%. They seemed to be searching the dumpsters and surrounding area. It was pretty scary to watch all of these guys in tactical gear running across the street, through moving traffic, chasing after this guy. Then to have them searching as hard as they were really made us feel like there was something very serious going on.
- WSB December 10, 2019 (6:05 pm)
  
  A warrant arrest IS serious. Especially if the suspect is wanted for a crime that involved a weapon, as was the case last Friday.

Victoria Wilson December 10, 2019 (5:51 pm)

FWIW, I was paying a visit at the assisted living community, and the whole thing was preceded by a thunderous, explosive noise. The facility went on immediate lockdown.

Shook December 11, 2019 (7:46 am)

Yes! I was in the building across the street from the Admiral Pub and the noise was explosive, reverberating through the building. When I looked outside the window, there was smoke at ground level and two black SUVs with emergency lights pulled away. I really want to know what caused the noise/smoke.
- Eric b December 11, 2019 (8:40 am)
  
  It was a flashbang grenade or something like it.As I left from picking up from daycare (Walker and California), I saw a van stop, 3 people get out, 1 threw something on the road that made a loud sound and smoke (actually near my car), and then 2 people in helmets and grey/green uniforms running full speed down the road to well Fargo and turn the corner. I saw other officers running with dogs, then police cars driving up and down the road. Was a very odd to watch it all go down during a busy time at this part of town. I wasn’t sure if it was safe or not safe for a few minutes.

GoodJobSPD December 10, 2019 (7:36 pm)

This was a follow up warrant arrest of serial robbery suspects picked up in High Point connected to Friday’s arrests. This suspect allegedly committed another robbery since the last arrest of the other two. SWAT was looking for a gun. When they contacted him, he ran and they were checking to see if he threw it on the roof or dumpster when he ran. Related to WSB story and this:https://komonews.com/news/local/2-seattle-teens-arrested-in-string-of-armed-robberies

WSB December 10, 2019 (8:23 pm)

That was my guess but I can’t deal in guesses. Thank you. Our previous coverage had far more details than other outlets FWIW as they were basically just based on the SPD Blotter post. Ours:
https://westseattleblog.com/2019/12/crime-watch-followup-robbery-spree-suspects-arrested-bail-for-one-set-at-500000/

The court docs from yesterday had two names and at least one did not seem to be a juvenile so I’m watching the jail roster.

Mad December 11, 2019 (5:06 am)

And our community keeps nose diving, oh but crime is not getting worse right mayor

John December 11, 2019 (9:36 am)

I was watching the 4PM screening of “Knives Out” at the Historic Admiral Theater and I too heard the ‘explosion’, but I assumed it was sound bleed from the adjacent screen.

WSB December 11, 2019 (10:08 am)

Jail register confirms another of the possible “spree” suspects booked last night. (Updated: He is being held on a warrant from an earlier case.) I’m asking SPD if they are able to confirm whether a flashbang was used – these are typical tools with warrants BUT more often when they need to break in on someone and decide to startle them first. We were away from the scanner when this started so I don’t know the circumstances preceding the chase. – TR

Update: SPD confirms that was a noise-making device used by SWAT.

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