Seattle Police are investigating two separate strong arm robberies that occurred in South Seattle last night and early this morning.
The first robbery occurred last night around 9:00 pm in the 4300 Block of South Henderson Street. Officers made contact with the victim, a 78-year-old woman, who told them the following information:
She had just left the Light Rail station at Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Henderson and was walking toward the Metro bus shelter when she was confronted by three black males, described as in their teens or early twenties. All of the suspects were wearing dark clothing and black pants. The woman was pushed to the ground and one of the suspects pulled her purse from her shoulder. The victim attempted to hold onto the purse, but the suspect was able to pull it from her. The suspects then fled on foot. A passing motorist saw the victim on the ground and called 911. She remained with the woman until police and fire arrived. The victim had a few scrapes to her hands and knees but did not require further medical treatment. Officers set up containment and a K9 team searched the area, but the suspects were not located. Officers then drove the victim home.
The second robbery happened just before 5:30 this morning near Martin Luther King Jr. Way South and South Edmunds Street. Officers responded and made contact with a 29-year-old woman who told them she was walking in the 3200 Block of South Edmunds Street when she passed a group of four black males and females. She believed that they were all in their late teens or early twenties. The victim believed that the group would pass her on the sidewalk. After she passed the group, she stated that she was “blindsided” with a punch to her left eye, knocking her to the ground. The victim covered her face to protect herself. She told officers that she believed a female demanded to know where her phone was. The victim told the suspects the phone was in her bag. The suspect(s) grabbed the bag and left. Officers located the victim’s ID card nearby and found her backpack approximately a half mile away. The victim’s laptop, iPhone, wallet and glasses were missing from the backpack. The victim was treated at the scene by Seattle Fire and did not require any further medical treatment. Officers searched the area but did not locate the suspects.
It is unknown if these two robberies are related. Both of these case will be forwarded to robbery detectives for follow up. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to contact Seattle Police.