Shoreline Officer Apprehends Bank Robber in Line at Starbucks

Shoreline Police Station

From Shoreline Police

On Friday, March 4, at 2:42 p.m. a white male approximately 50 years old entered the GBC International Bank at 16001 Aurora Avenue N and walked to the second teller window where he passed a note to the female teller. The note advised that he had a gun and he didn’t want to hurt anyone but to give him the money. It also said he had placed explosive devices with electronic detonators at entry points to the bank.

The teller complied and turned over the cash in her till. The male said, “Thank you.” He put the currency in a bag and left.

As police arrived, the bank manager related that the robber had fled on foot to the strip mall directly south of the bank. Bank employees followed him but had lost sight of him. Officer Julian Chivington obtained a suspect description from the teller and disseminated a detailed description, including that he was wearing a white shirt with pockets, a black beanie and aviator glasses. Patrol units formed a perimeter and a King County Sheriff’s Office Canine was called to respond.

Master Police Officer Brent Naylor and Sergeant Bruce Bartlett went to the Safeway at 15332 Aurora Avenue N to search for the suspect. MPO Naylor saw an individual fitting the description come out of the restroom and go to Starbucks to wait for a beverage. MPO Naylor approached the man, told him he fit the description of a suspect they were seeking, and asked him where he lived and if he had any glasses. He pulled out a pair of aviator style glasses and started to tremble. MPO Naylor noticed a large amount of money in the pocket from which he pulled the glasses, and grabbed the man’s arm. The man then blurted out, “I did it. I’m the one you’re looking for.”

He was taken into custody. The King County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit investigates Shoreline robberies and Detective Cynthia Sampson will be the lead on this case. The suspect has been charged with Bank Robbery 1st Degree.