Update Feb/22/2016:
Robbery detectives with the assistance with SWAT arrested a second person in connection to multiple armed robberies.
SWAT officers served a search warrant Monday morning leading to the arrest of a second juvenile suspect in the on-going investigation into pharmacy robberies in Seattle and surrounding areas. Officers arrested a 15-year-old boy at his home in the 6300 block of Rainier Ave S while robbery detectives collected additional evidence inside the home. Detectives booked the teen into the King County Youth Services Center for investigation of robbery.
Robbery detectives in this investigation continue to work with local law enforcement partners in this continuing investigation.
Original:
The Seattle Police SWAT team served a search warrant this morning and arrested a 15-year-old suspected in a Seattle pharmacy robbery and may be linked to others in the area.
A pharmacist was working behind the counter of a drug store in the 5400 block of 15 Ave NW on November 27 when two people entered with their faces covered. The victim went on to describe one of them carrying a small black handgun. The two suspects made their way behind the counter and immediately began grabbing codeine and various pills from the shelves. One of the suspects then grabbed some cash from the register before the two fled.
Robbery detectives began working with other local agencies and found there had been similar robberies in Kirkland, Bellevue and Tacoma. Detectives began poring over evidence collected in all the cases and were able to identify a 15-year-old boy who self-identifies as “Young Codeine King”. Detectives believed the teen had orchestrated multiple other pharmacy robberies and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Seattle Police SWAT served the warrant on his home in the 4600 block of S. Willow St this morning, arresting the teen.
Detectives have booked the suspect into the Youth Services Center for investigation of robbery.