Felon arrested in armed robberies in Tacoma, University Place

TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County deputies arrested a felon in connection with two armed robberies in Tacoma and University Place last week.

At 12:55 a.m. on Nov. 23, deputies and Tacoma police officers were called to an armed robbery at the AM/PM at the intersection of 56th Street West and South Orchard Street in Tacoma.

According to witnesses, a Black man in his 50s pointed a handgun at the clerk and then fled in a car with a younger man inside.

At 1:19 a.m., deputies were sent to an armed robbery at the AM/PM at the intersection of 27th Street West and Bridgeport Way West in University Place. The descriptions of the robber and the vehicle were the same as in the earlier robbery in Tacoma.

Arriving deputies spotted the robber’s vehicle as it was leaving the scene. When the car appeared to have mechanical issues, the driver pulled over on a side street and both men inside got out and ran away.

The older man, who police say turned out to be the primary suspect, was found and arrested by officers. The younger passenger got away.

Deputies said the 54-year-old man admitted to both robberies and had the stolen cash on him when he was arrested. Police said the gun used in the robberies was found on the floor of the car.

He was charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

His bail was set at $20,000.

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