After nearly three months of digging, Valley SWAT and Kent police say they finally tracked down the man they believe was behind a March robbery that turned an everyday online sale into a gunfire-filled nightmare.
On June 9, officers moved in on a Kent residence and arrested a suspect tied to that March 10 holdup. Police say the man surrendered without a struggle after a tactical team breached the door. No one was hurt during the arrest.
How investigators say the deal went bad
According to the Kent Police Department, the case started when a 33-year-old Seattle woman posted an item for sale on social media and agreed to meet a buyer in an apartment parking lot on March 10.
Police say the supposed buyer pulled out a gun, took a pair of shoes, then fired several rounds before fleeing. The seller called 911, and patrol officers canvassed the area. No injuries were reported, but detectives suddenly had a robbery case that included gunfire and a social media trail.
Detective Doucett followed those clues, including the suspect’s social media handle, and investigators say that work led to probable cause for criminal charges.
SWAT breach ends in quick surrender
When it came time to make the arrest, Valley SWAT secured the surrounding neighborhood and used a public address system and a hostage negotiator in an effort to coax the suspect outside, according to police.
When that did not work, officers breached the door. At that point, the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody on June 9. Police say they kept the area locked down throughout the operation to protect nearby residents.
Charges and what comes next
Per the Kent Police Department, Detective Doucett developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for first-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The department says the investigation is still active and is asking anyone with additional information to contact Kent police.
Staying safe when buying and selling online
Incidents like this are exactly why police frequently urge people to meet buyers and sellers in public, well-lit locations, to bring another person along, and to use designated safe-exchange spots at police stations whenever possible. The extra inconvenience is minor compared to the risk when a simple sale turns violent.
