WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two drugstores robbed

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

3:13 PM: Police are arriving at Bartell Drugs in Jefferson Square to investigate a reported robbery. According to what dispatch has told officers so far, the robber gave a clerk a note demanding cash and saying he had a gun, though none was seen, and got away with “cash from the pharmacy drawer.” The description so far is (updated) white, male, 5’7″, medium build, dark jacket over hoodie (“several layers on”), “knit cap with some yellow,” light pants. They’re not sure if he got away on foot or in a vehicle.

3:36 PM: Viewing security-camera images, police have also told dispatch the robber was wearing a mask and “blue plastic gloves.”

3:44 PM: Now police are headed to Rite-Aid at Westwood Village after a report of a similar holdup there, also with a robber handing a clerk a note claiming to have a gun. So far this robber is described as an “unknown-race male” in a blue mask, black sunglasses, black hoodie. Possible getaway vehicle: A black Subaru.

3:47 PM: Possible suspect is now being chased on foot a few blocks away. (added) They have one person in custody.

4:20 PM: Whether they have probable cause to arrest the person is still being determined. (We’ll be following up.)

4:38 PM: The associated vehicle – which “checked clear” (as in, not stolen), is being impounded.

ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: We’ve finally confirmed that the person who was detained was not arrested, as witnesses from the robberies could not identify him, and there was no other evidence to establish probable cause at the time. (There are cases in which charges might be filed later as a result of further investigation.)

MyThruppence December 14, 2022 (3:56 pm)

Go get ’em SPD. Thank you for your excellent work this afternoon!

AN December 14, 2022 (4:06 pm)

Arrest in progress at 24th and Cloverdale

WSB December 14, 2022 (4:08 pm)

Yes, that’s the “person in custody” we mentioned, and our photographer is headed that way. Thanks.

Christopher B. December 14, 2022 (4:42 pm)

Great police work. Kudos SPD! And of course, excellent breaking news reporting WSB.

DC December 14, 2022 (4:58 pm)

Saw one of the guys run through my neighbour’s yard on 22nd into the alley and south towards Cloverdale. Immediately called the police.

mem December 14, 2022 (4:59 pm)

Westwood Village Rite-aid still closed at 5pm. Spoke with policewoman- she said it will take some time to process.

WSB December 14, 2022 (5:38 pm)

Thanks. Bartell in Jeff Square is open – we just went by there but have to divert to something else so we’re not going to get to Rite-Aid to check.

Mike December 14, 2022 (6:11 pm)

I was standing in line behind this guy at the rite aid at westwood village .thought it was strange nobody was making eye contact.

Is it just me December 14, 2022 (9:16 pm)

I just don’t feel safe in Jefferson Square’s parking lot and Westwood Village’s as well. Especially after reading the news.Nowadays, we go to Rite Aid on California Ave SW when necessary (Sadly, even they have their own set of security issues) but it feels safer to take mom shopping.Mom was born and raised in West Seattle and has seen all the growth and changes in West Seattle. She says she doesn’t know where she is when we drive up California Ave as all the “landmarks” are gone. It is now a canyon of building and stoplights. Unfortunately, we don’t always feel safe in our own neighborhood, anymore. I finally move away but come back just to look after mom.

Westwood December 15, 2022 (10:13 pm)

It is just you.
derek December 16, 2022 (1:26 pm)

I live right here and it’s fine. Stop being scared. Maybe city life isn’t for you?

CJ December 14, 2022 (9:49 pm)

Great work, SPD! Thank you for your service and as always, thanks WSB!

Yma December 14, 2022 (11:21 pm)

Dude rushed past me on his way out of the Right Aid, must’ve been just moments after being at the pharmacy counter. instinct told me something was wrong. super big & dark sunglasses + the mask pretty much covered his entire face. I stayed to talk with police & they took me over to see if I could give a positive ID on him. Was the right body type, but I couldn’t be sure. Gut feeling is not a positive ID. All the officers very nice. Asked me how I was feeling & if I was ok.gotta say – a ride in the back of a patrol car was not on my to-do list of errands.

sigh December 16, 2022 (2:32 pm)

Props to you for both helping out AND for realizing a gut feeling is not the same as a positive ID. Know that you’ve booked a lot of good karma this holiday season!

Pdavis December 15, 2022 (9:53 am)

THANk YOU SPD ! GREAT JOB ! WE APPRECIATE YOU ! Now, if we could just keep these losers in jail and have EFFECTIVE prosecution .and judges that take seriously protecting the public!Watch out who you vote for for prosecuting attorney and judges in the future so lawbreakers don’t go through a revolving door and are back out on the street. If our jails are full, then send them to another state and lock them up.

Seattlite December 15, 2022 (10:05 am)

I was at the Jefferson Square Bartell on Monday of this week. As a senior, I always use situational awareness. When I came out of Bartell between 10:30am and noon, there was a blonde woman standing against the wall talking on her phone. As I approached the stair case just west of Bartell’s a man in heavy layered clothes, backpack, and a red hoodie over his head came up the last set of stairs. Red flag alert hit my system. Before going down the stairs I turned and saw that he has turned and was facing me. I immediately turned completely around and headed back to Bartell. He headed into the balcony area right off of the stair case at a quick pace. I stopped at where the blonde was still talking on her phone. She looked at me and I asked her if she would please walk me to my car parked on the street. She said yes. As she and I approached the staircase, the guy darted out from the balcony area and went down the stairs ahead of us. The whole situation was really weird, creepy. There’s more. When I got into my car, I turned right at the corner. Low and behold, the guy was standing at the first bus stop and looked directly at me like he already knew I would be in that car. The moral of this experience is to always be aware of your surroundings; and, if your gut tells you something is not right, go with your gut.

Dusty book December 15, 2022 (7:34 pm)

How do we all prevent crimes in the future the youth need a better outlook on the future. Better school’s and awesome career’s. Work a day jobs and wages don’t add up for those youth and ten years ago they didn’t either. The computer age has arrived with no return on wealth for the newer generation that don’t own any land or have enough for continued education. Although wages are up. The inflation and lack of wealth has spiraled people into risky business such as crime and drugs. So either way they’re not going to make it even if they are working hard, the price of rent is ridiculous and everything is taxed to death. No wonder the youth feel like they need to steal everything most people can barely afford to even do regular things. Having snooty rich people around doesn’t help crime and commercial thefts and robbery it encourages it especially when the financial divide is so noticeably there. Where is the future of this major city we are not a small town anymore Seattle wake up