LPD looking for leads on serial armed robbery suspect

Image from Stellar Mart robbery.

By Lt. Chris Lawler, Lakewood Police Department

Lakewood Police, Tacoma Police, and the Lacey Police Department are looking for information on an armed robbery suspect who has hit businesses in all three jurisdictions. (Images from Stellar Mart robbery above and below. Video clip can be seen on our Facebook page).

The first robbery that occurred in Lakewood was on December 27, 2011 at 10:29 PM at the Stellar Mart located at 7019 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W.  The victim clerk reported that a mixed race (white/black) male came into the business and pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at him, demanding money.  The suspect was further described as being 5’10”, 180 pounds, wearing sunglasses, a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, gloves, and what appears to be a bandanna covering his face.  The suspect fled the business on foot and was not located.

Image from Stellar Mart robbery

The second robbery in Lakewood occurred on December 30, 2011 at 8:30 PM at the Papa John’s Pizza located at 14909 Union Ave. S.W.  The suspect was described as a black male, 6’1”, 170 pounds, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, sunglasses, and a bandanna covering his face.  The suspect was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun that was reported to be equipped with a red dot laser sight.  The suspect fled the business on foot and was not located.

The third robbery in Lakewood occurred on January 2, 2012 at 11:17 PM at the 7-11 store located at 7727 Custer Road West.  The suspect pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the victim clerk and demanded the money from the register.  The suspect was described as a black male, in his mid twenties, 6’0” tall, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, black shoes, sunglasses, and what appears to be a bandanna covering his face.  He fled on foot and was not located.

Image from Stellar Mart Robbery

Tacoma Police also had a related robbery on December 28, 2011 at 12:11 AM to the Shell Gas Station located at 8433 South Hosmer Street.  The suspect was described as a male in his mid twenties, 6’0 tall, 150 pounds, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black sunglasses, blue jeans, a grey hat, and what appears to be a bandanna covering his face.  The suspect was armed with a black semi-automatic handgun equipped with a red dot laser sight.  The suspect fled the scene on foot and was not located.

Lacey Police had a similar robbery to a convenience store called Lacey Fuel on December 28, 2011 at 7:30 PM.  The suspect description and M.O. appear to be the same as the other robberies.

Detectives from all three agencies are working together and are looking for any information anyone may have on these robberies.  Tips can be called into the Lakewood Police Department, the Tacoma Police Department, and the Lacey Police Department. Tips can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at 253-591-5959 and tipsters are eligible for a cash reward.