On March 18th, at around 12:30 AM, a 20 year old man was robbed while walking in the 1800 Block of NE 50th Street. A car pulled up next to him and a black male asked him for directions. As the victim approached the passenger side of the car to give directions, the male inside the car grabbed the victim’s cell phone out of his hand. The victim attempted to retrieve his phone at which point the car accelarated, dragging him a short distance. The suspect then punched the victim in the face causing him to fall to the ground. The victim sustained abrasions to his elbow and a cut lip.
On March 27th, Pullman, Washington Police Department conducted an unrelated investigation involving the suspect. As part of that investigation, his property was searched and the victim’s stolen cell phone was located inside the suspect’s backpack. It was later learned that it was taken in the earlier robbery and Robbery detectives were advised. On May 2nd, the victim was presented a photomontage and positively identified the suspect who robbed him.
On May 3rd, Robbery detectives went to the suspect’s residence in Mountlake Terrace and arrested the 19 year old suspect without incident. After being interviewed by detectives, the suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery. The Robbery Unit will continue to follow up on this investigation.