CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: First court appearances for three suspects in two West Seattle robberies

5:04 PM: The three armed-robbery suspects arrested Friday night, hours after a series of holdups including two in West Seattle, appeared in court this afternoon. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says a judge found probable cause for holding all three for investigation of four counts of first-degree robbery. $400,000 bail was requested and set for the two adult suspects, 21 and 19; the 11-year-old suspect (who turns 12 later this month) will remain in secure custody for now (bail is not a factor in juvenile cases).

The four robberies happened in the span of less than an hour and a half, starting at 5:25 am Friday morning on East Marginal Way, continuing on Rainier Avenue less than 15 minutes later, then on to West Seattle an hour after that one, with a holdup at Space Age (35th/Holden) followed 10 minutes later at the Shell station in The Triangle. Investigators allege they took cash and tobacco products in the robberies, and that at least one wielded a rifle. The probable-cause documents say they were tracked down an hour after the final robbery because someone flagged down police about an abandoned blue Kia (stolen from a SeaTac hotel), and had dashcam video showing an associated silver Hyundai with California plates. A law-enforcement bulletin was issued for the Hyundai, eventually chased and found near Spring/Harvard, with the three suspects then arrested. While the images in the document copies aren’t usable, investigators say they have security-camera images linking the suspects to the robberies because of the clothing they were wearing. The KCPAO says the two adult suspects are due back in court Wednesday, while the next hearing for the juvenile suspect is on Thursday.

ADDED 6:10 PM: Court records show the juvenile suspect is also being held on a warrant from a case for which he got a suspended sentence just last month. The records in that case, however, show him as 13, rather than 11, though that doesn’t make a difference in the case. It was an eerily similar robbery rampage back in July, with four robbers hitting three stores – two in Tukwila, one in Renton – in a short time span. Four juveniles were arrested – this one, and three others, ages 14 and 15. This suspect plea-bargained to reduced charges and got a suspended 15- to 36-week sentence, with credit for three months in custody. But five days after that sentencing in mid-October, he allegedly violated terms of supervision/release, and a warrant was issued to consider possibly revoking the suspension.

18 Replies to "CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: First court appearances for three suspects in two West Seattle robberies"

  • CarDriver November 18, 2024 (5:17 pm)

    WSB. Do the documents say if any of the 3 has been arrested before, or had law enforcement/court interaction? Also curious if their parents/legal guardians have had any police/court interactions.

    • WSB November 18, 2024 (5:19 pm)

      No, but other records suggested at least two have. As soon as I nail down those details I’ll add to the story.

      • WSB November 18, 2024 (5:24 pm)

        However, the parents’ backgrounds will not be part of it. If you’re arrested for something, whatever your age, your family’s status and background are not included in the documents (unless for some reason they are directly involved in the same case).

        • CarDriver November 18, 2024 (5:39 pm)

          Thought I’d ask. My sister taught high school in Seattle for 35 years-retired for 15 years now. In dealing with kids that had “issues” she tried to talk with the parents (or guardians). When she was able to her impression was that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”

          • Alf November 18, 2024 (5:53 pm)

            That shouldn’t surprise anyone, our parents are our first and most influential teachers I still think parents should be held accountable for the actions of their minor children financially and jail if the situation is warranted and parents have ignored over time significant issueswe have evolved into a society that has no accountability for actions why should anything change

          • Jethro Marx November 18, 2024 (7:02 pm)

            Thank you for this description of bias.

          • CarDriver November 18, 2024 (7:21 pm)

             Accountability is “bias”?? Explains why we have so many repeat offenders.

          • Alf November 19, 2024 (1:40 am)

            Your response is in part what is wrong, accountability is not bias how do behaviors change if there is no accountability, it’s been demonstrated that many if the recent gang robberies are being committed by the same group of young adults and kids, they swing thru the system with no accountability for their behavior and wow what a surprise they are back out there putting our community at risk. Clearly something is not working with the current system 

  • Alki resident November 18, 2024 (5:34 pm)

    Excellent police work and kudos to the alert citizen who flagged police down. Everyone should get dash cam. It’s very affordable and well worth it. 

  • Rob November 18, 2024 (5:46 pm)

    Any pictures 

    • WSB November 18, 2024 (6:05 pm)

      As noted in the story, the “images in the document copies aren’t usable.”

    • 1994 November 18, 2024 (10:27 pm)

      TV news coverage had store video images of the 3 young men. Hoodies were all up and covering most of the their head so it is hard to see faces.

      • AJ November 19, 2024 (1:23 pm)

        The news footage shows the gun being handed to the 11 year old.   The 11byear old then points the gun directly at the workers.Our tax dollars will be paying for him when he’s life in prison.

        • Dr Wu November 20, 2024 (4:35 pm)

          AJ – That is a tax I’m willing to pay. Call it an “incarceration” tax.

  • Kristina November 18, 2024 (6:16 pm)

    An eleven year old suspect? That is more tragic than I can express. So much must have gone wrong in that child’s life to get to this point.

  • WSzombie November 18, 2024 (10:09 pm)

    I’m thankful they are being held in custody. So many people forget that the sole purpose of jail/custody isn’t always punitive. People need to feel safe in a society, and sometimes you have to remove people who can’t play nice. It’s the adult version of a time out. 

  • BDR November 18, 2024 (11:13 pm)

    Glad they are all being held. I saw the video of them robbing a store on the news, the one had a “long gun” as described by the reported hidden under his shirt and pants. Hopefully the police recovered that gun so it is off the streets. I can’t imagine how scary it was for the employees. At least one had the gun pointed at his face. WSB is the eleven year old the younger brother of one of the older males? Kind of seems odd the adults would be running with a child unless they are related. 

    • WSB November 18, 2024 (11:37 pm)

      No.

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