WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another Junction bank robbery

4:57 PM: For the third time in less than three weeks, police are investigating a reported robbery at a West Seattle Junction bank/credit union. Police are at Sound Credit Union (4730 California SW). So far the robber has been described by dispatch as a (updated 5:35 pm) white man, late 20s, 5’6″ tall, black clothing including a hoodie over an off-white beanie, black sweatshirt with white Air Jordan-type logo, black and white tennis shoes. He’s believed to have left on foot, southbound on California. “No weapon involved and no mention of a weapon,” an officer has just told dispatch.

The previous two robberies were at HomeStreet Bank (41st/Alaska; WSB sponsor) on January 26th and at Washington Federal (California/Dakota) on January 27th. The FBI told us at the time that those two robberies were believed to have been committed by different people.

5:21 PM: Added photos. No additional information so far.

cjboffoli February 13, 2023 (7:22 pm)

I remember an FBI agent (who I spoke to after a May 2011 robbery of what was then Viking bank in the Junction) telling me that a surprising number of bank robbers get away, at least initially. But that these kinds of robberies generally are an act of desperation that is often tied to serious addiction. So based on the amount of money stolen, they can often calculate the addict’s burn rate and when they might strike again. Between the lack of judgment that accompanies drug use and crime, recklessly bragging about their heists, and repeating this behavior, their luck eventually runs out and law enforcement catches up with them. Along those lines, the bank robbers in that May 2011 case were caught several weeks later when they used the same getaway car (which had distinctive white lettering on the back window) in another bank robbery.

KM February 13, 2023 (11:23 pm)

Was his name Johnny Utah?
- JB February 14, 2023 (8:29 am)
  
  The Heisman trophy winner? From Ohio State?
- Dilly Van Twinklepuss February 15, 2023 (10:47 am)
  
  No, but the Georgetown Brewing Co. beer I’m consuming is.

brian February 14, 2023 (9:57 am)

I was driving through the area around the time when this happened and saw the outsized police presence (including the multiple cruisers who lit up their lights and flew down California in the Junction) so I presumed it was a big deal.Come to find out it was a bank robbery where no weapon was even implied and it’s funny how you realize the police actually make the community less safe when they respond like this. No one was in danger of the guy walking around with stolen money so why put people in danger by driving like that?

bradley February 14, 2023 (12:16 pm)

Because anyone brazen enough to rob a bank in broad daylight is not a threat to hold hostages, or harm employees and/or innocent bystanders? This in a crowded, pedestrian friendly surrounding? Let’s get real, bank robbers are serious criminals (or stupid). Especially since its a Federal crime the FBI takes pretty seriously and is punishable up to 20 years in Federal prison. So yeah, its a big deal Brian. Should we go soft on it? I guess people now think Bank Robbery is no big deal. Maybe stand behind the counter some day. And the details of the weapons probably came out AFTER they responded.
- Brian February 14, 2023 (8:06 pm)
  
  Why does a non violent bank robbery require a half dozen officers while a violent mugging gets crickets?
  - CarDriver February 14, 2023 (8:49 pm)
    
    Brian. What mugging?? Give us ALL the facts on that.
  - Tired of Enablers February 14, 2023 (8:59 pm)
    
    Brian, you’re apart of the problem. Criticizing the police while a criminal robs a bank. SMH.
  - Byron James February 14, 2023 (9:32 pm)
    
    Robbing a bank is Federal Crime. So yeah, it gets a different response than most local crime. The FBI is just one of the Federal agencies that will show up. I guess common knowledge is no longer common.

shotinthefoot February 14, 2023 (11:31 am)

“No weapon involved and no mention of a weapon,” – so he just walked in, demanded money and they gave it to him without laughing him out the door? Color me confused.

WSB February 14, 2023 (4:17 pm)

Gave the teller a note demanding money, per police. Don’t know the exact language used for the demand.
YES2WS February 14, 2023 (5:29 pm)

@shotnthefoot,, If I were a teller and someone approached me demanding money, I would hand it over. Someone unstable enough to rob a bank could easily have a weapon even if not announced and be trigger happy enough to use it at the slightest hesitation.
- Stanley Rumplepot February 15, 2023 (10:49 am)
  
  Exactly. I’d bet that it is bank policy to hand over what ever is being asked of you regardless of whether or not a weapon is visible.

Sorry, comment time is over.