By Tim Clifford

Knife and mask robbery
At 6:20 p.m. on Dec.22 police responded to an armed robbery call at a grocery store on the 8600 block of 9 Ave. S.W. The victim, a 52-year-old clerk, reported that the suspect had robbed her at knife point while wearing a Halloween mask.

According to the victim the masked suspect held what appeared to be a paring knife only an inch or two away from her stomach while whispering threats and demanding cash. The victim informed officers that she believes the suspect is a frequent customer since she recognized his thick Latin accent. Once the suspect had gotten the money he walked away southbound on 9th.

The victim provided dispatchers with a description of the suspect’s clothing and height (a surprisingly short 5’2) which lead officers to detain a potential suspect. The potential suspect was wearing similar clothing, was a similar height and weight, and was Hispanic. When the victim was brought to the scene to provide identification she informed officers that they had the wrong man. As of this writing the suspect remains at large.

Park and rob
On Dec. 23 three people were robbed while parked in their car outside of an apartment complex on the 3200 block of S.W. Avalon WY. Police received a call from a witness who observed the entire incident from his apartment.

Shortly after one in the morning the victims (two males, one female) were parking in the parking area for a complex when they noticed a blue or possibly green Nissan Sentra following close behind. As the victims were preparing to exit the car three Hispanic suspects came up to the driver’s side window and demanded everything they had. When the victims refused one suspect pulled a gun as the other two suspects fanned out and surrounded the car. After gathering the wallets and cell phones of the victims one of the suspects became spooked and said “we have to get out of here”, at which point the suspects ran away.

An initial vehicle description that was provided suggested a white topped Cadillac; a vehicle type which responding officers came across and detained. The victims were able to positively confirm that the driver and passengers of the Cadillac were not the suspects.
The suspects are all described as being Hispanic males in their early to mid-20’s. One suspect was described as having a “chinstrap” beard and mustache. The other two suspects were noted for wearing red and black jackets with high topped Nike shoes. The suspects remain at large.

Burglaries by block: 1100 block of Alki Ave. S.W., 4100 block of S.W. Charlestown St., 5400 block of 34 Ave. S.W., 1600 block of S.W. Holden St., 200 block of S. Holden St., 1200 block of S. Cloverdale St., 9200 block of Olson Pl. S.W., 8400 block of 5 Ave. S., 1000 block of S. Henderson St., 9000 block of 13 Ave. S.W., 9200 block of Delridge WY S.W., 9600 block of 20 Ave. S.W., 3700 block of S.W. 99 St., 3700 block of S.W. 100 St., 10800 block of 32 Ave. S.W.

Car prowls by block: 3700 block of Beach Dr. S.W., 6000 block of 44 Ave. S.W., 6000 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 6000 block of 18 Ave. S.W., 8000 block of Fauntleroy WY S.W., 9000 block of 45 Ave. S.W., 8800 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 9000 block of 13 Ave. S.W., 9200 block of 12 Ave. S.W., 1000 block of S. Sullivan St.

Car thefts by block: 5100 block of S.W. Stevens St., 4700 block of S.W. Juneau St., 6300 block of 37 Ave. S.W., 5900 block of Delridge WY S.W., 2400 block of S.W. Holden St., 8600 block of Delridge WY S.W., 9000 block of 17 Ave. S.W., 1200 block of S. Cloverdale St. (2 reported), 9700 block of 34 Ave. S.W.