Shortly after 10:00 pm last night, store security working inside the Safeway store in the 2200 Block of East Madison Street saw a man walk out of the store without paying for over $500 worth of alcohol. The two store security employees approached the man as he was putting the alcohol into a waiting car, and identified themselves as security. The male suspect punched and bit the security officers, while the suspect’s female accomplice, waiting in the car, jumped out and sprayed the security officers with pepper spray. With the assistance of other witnesses, the store security officers were able to get handcuffs on the male suspect. East Precinct officers arrived and arrested both suspects.
The two store security officers were treated at the scene by Seattle Fire for injuries that included pepper spray exposure and bite marks. The two suspects were transported to the Robbery Unit office, where they were interviewed by detectives. After being interviewed, the two suspects, both age 22, were booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Robbery. This remains an active and on-going robbery investigation.