Alleged purse snatcher may be connected to other North Seattle attacks

SEATTLE — Police arrested a 27-year-old man Tuesday who allegedly knocked down a woman and grabbed her purse while he was armed with a knife in the Roosevelt neighborhood.

There have been recent, similar robberies in North Seattle and police believe Robin McDougall-Treacy could be linked to a total of six attacks.

The attacks happened within walking distance of McDougall-Treacy’s home.

McDougall-Treacy’s  North Seattle neighbors told KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Amy Clancy that the arrest is a huge relief for the entire neighborhood.

Neighbors said that they feared McDougall-Treacy and said he was a menace and habitual liar. They also said McDougall-Treacy terrorized their community for decades.

Weeks ago, neighbors called police after hearing about the attacks, which suspected McDougall-Treacy.

Neighbors said that McDougall-Treacy has threatened them, which is why detectives left a message Tuesday evening after his arrest.

“McDougall-Treacy was arrested on five counts of armed robbery, so he’ll probably be going away for a long time,” said a Seattle police detective.

On Wednesday, bail was set at $250,000 for McDougall-Treacy. Prosecutors argued that he is a flight risk.

McDougall-Treacy has a criminal history, but nothing has landed him in jail for any length of time.

Neighbors told KIRO 7 that they hope his arrest will keep him behind bars.

KIRO