Redmond espresso stand robbery suspect arrested

Thursday at approximately 7:15 a.m., Bothell Police arrested a 26-year-old Bothell man suspected of committing several armed robberies at local espresso stands, including one in Redmond. The suspect was located at a Bellevue area motel after Bothell detectives received a tip and conducted further investigation.

During an initial interview, the suspect confessed to a Bothell robbery, in the 17700 block of SR 522, as well as at least three additional recent robberies in Redmond, Renton and unincorporated Kent. The investigation is continuing and the suspect will be booked into King County Jail for investigation of Robbery 1, according to a press release from Captain Denise Langford, public information officer for Bothell Police Department.

The Redmond incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 at Java Junction, 11440 Avondale Rd, according to Redmond Police spokesperson Jim Bove. The suspect approached the walk-up window and ordered a white chocolate mocha. He was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt with the hood wrapped tightly around his face and dark sunglasses. When he was served the mocha, he pulled out a pistol and demanded money from the barista. He left with approximately $200 in cash and a free beverage.

The incidents in Renton and Kent (an unincorporated area under King County Sheriff's Office jurisdiction) also occurred during daylight hours at espresso stands where a lone female was working.

There was also a sighting of a similar subject who may have been "casing" an espresso stand in Auburn on Sunday morning.

The suspect typically approached the espresso stands on foot and ordered coffee before displaying a dark colored handgun. Detectives have since recovered the handgun believed to have been displayed during the robberies.

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