WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man robbed at ATM

This happened around 9:17 pm last night, and we obtained the report narrative from Seattle Police today: They say a man reported that he was robbed at gunpoint at an ATM at the BECU branch in The Whittaker (4755 Fauntleroy Way SW). Here’s the narrative, as redacted by SPD:

XXXX had arrived at the BECU and parked his vehicle on the street. He entered the BECU where there are two ATM machines in a vestibule area. He had $1,200 in 20-dollar bills that he wanted to deposit into his account. The ATM only allows for 30 bills at a time so he deposited $600 and was waiting for the machine to process the amount when he heard someone shouting behind him. (The victim) turned around and saw the suspect standing in the doorway pointing a black handgun at him.

XXXX believed the gun to be real and realized the suspect was shouting at him and demanding his cash. XXXX handed over the remaining $600 cash but the suspect demanded that he take out more cash. XXXX told the suspect that he couldn’t access more cash because the ATM was still processing his deposit. The suspect continued to demand more cash so XXXX stepped to the side to show the suspect the ATM screen.

The suspect fled from the doorway and ran to a dark-colored mid-size sedan that was parked in front of the entrance. The suspect entered through the driver’s-side door and was last seen driving away southbound on Fauntleroy. XXXX was unable to see if there was anyone else inside the vehicle.

XXXX confirmed the suspect description, stating the suspect was shorter than him at approximately 5’7″ to 5’8″ with a thin build. Although the suspect’s face was mostly covered by a face mask, XXXX believes the suspect to be in his late teens to early 20’s and possibly East African [also black long-sleeved hoodie, black “slouched” pants, black shoes] … XXXX also confirmed that there was a witness to the robbery, who briefly followed the suspect vehicle before returning to BECU. …

The witness called also had called 911, and spoke with police during their investigation. The witness told them the robber’s car had “rear-end bumper damage that was covered in tape”; the report says it also had a burned out tail light and no plates. If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 26-243984.

20 Replies to "WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man robbed at ATM"

  • Actualperson August 18, 2026 (2:32 pm)

    Any word on what time last night? Am guessing there’s no suspect updates. 

    • WSB August 18, 2026 (2:49 pm)

      Sorry, that was in my first draft, have added it back. 9:17 pm.

  • Gebus August 18, 2026 (2:41 pm)

    Man that sucks that happened.

    Don’t you need to use a card to enter that doorway to the ATM? Just mentioning in case they can track the suspect that way. . .

    • PATRICK August 18, 2026 (6:46 pm)

      Yes I believe that you need a BECU card to open the door to the ATM room after hours. How did the suspect get in? Also, BECU should have security camera footage.

  • Rocky Bullwinkle August 18, 2026 (4:04 pm)

    I’ve always felt this becu atm is too wide open “for all to see” at a busy cross section with easy getaway…especially at night. I only use it during becu business hours.

  • West seattle neighbor August 18, 2026 (4:12 pm)

    That’s awful.  I hate how BECU makes you deposit cash through their crummy ATMs, that’s why I left BECU for a bigger bank.  They don’t let you deposit in the branches either.  I’ve broken those ATMs before because they are terrible at accepting cash.  That poor guy, I hope he’s okay.  What a terrible ordeal to go through because BECU is too draconian to actually do their job as a bank. 

    • CARGUY August 19, 2026 (8:28 am)

      Yes, its absurd. I sold a car a few years ago and go to BECU to deposit the cash (same one under the Whittaker), all 3 tellers working there would not accept the cash and only would recommend me use the ATM. Never have done that before, or since. 

      • k August 19, 2026 (11:11 am)

        You can deposit cash at their main branch in Tukwila.  Not as convenient as the branch in the neighborhood, but it’s only a 15-minute drive and I don’t have large sums of cash all that often.

        • CARGUY August 19, 2026 (11:49 am)

          Good to know! 

    • The Real JP August 19, 2026 (10:00 am)

      Did you also believe that Hyundai and Toyota should be sued for making their cars too easy to steal? 

  • Triangle Resident August 18, 2026 (6:32 pm)

    The enclosed lobby is the problem, no eyes on street to report unusual activity. After being greeted on a Sunday morning with a man undressing, mumbling to himself in a corner, out of view of the security cameras I could not get out of there fast enough. Enclosed environments like these only need two people, one to hold the door closed and one to take control. 

  • OldManHiker August 18, 2026 (7:07 pm)

    I was just about to join BECU a few years back, until they moved to that location. Just didn’t feel like a great place to bank at.

  • 1994 August 18, 2026 (10:35 pm)

    Cameras may assist with catching the idiot robber to hold him accountable.

  • The crooks are the problem August 19, 2026 (5:43 am)

    It’s all true about BECU but literally no bank is open for deposits at 9:17pm, so let’s keep the blame on the criminals. Worth noting that no one should use that atm when the branch is closed! 

  • anonyme August 19, 2026 (6:11 am)

    I most often use those ATM’s on Sunday morning when the bank is closed, and no key card is required for access.  I agree that it’s an uncomfortable and unsafe arrangement; I feel like a sitting duck every time I go in there, especially given the creeps that often hang around the Whittaker.  I also agree that BECU is not a “real” bank in that it does not provide many basic services.

  • tim August 19, 2026 (9:18 am)

    Why is there a car out on the road with no plates?

  • Rhonda August 19, 2026 (12:53 pm)

    BECU tellers not accepting cash in their satellite locations is why I switched to Global Credit Union.

    • K August 19, 2026 (6:28 pm)

      Their ATM stopped accepting check deposits for a while, and only started again recently.  

  • Crime Dog MGruff August 19, 2026 (6:18 pm)

    Love that we’re LASER FOCUSED on the bank as the real culprit here. Case closed!

  • ThanksToWitness August 22, 2026 (9:14 am)

    THANK YOU to the witness who stepped up and followed the robber and kept in contact with the police. It’s nice to know that not Everyone turns their back and doesn’t want to bother. Thank you for being a responsible and courageous Citizen. ❤️

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