King County detectives concerned about bank robberies escalating in violence

KING COUNTY, Wash. — The King County Sheriff’s Office is asking for your help to identify bank robbery suspects and a getaway vehicle after a string of robberies from Covington to Shoreline to the Renton area.

Investigators say at least some of the robberies are connected and they’re escalating in violence.

One bank robbery happened Feb. 8 inside a Shoreline Safeway around lunchtime at the U.S. Bank.

The Sheriff’s Office says it was Friday, so the store was crowded.

“The note was threatening to the teller and demanded the money,” said Sgt. Ryan Abbott, with the Sheriff’s Office.

The suspects are in their 20s, light-skinned, shorter and with a thin to medium build.

“They’re wearing hoods, got the hoods cinched up around their face. One male has a mustache. The other doesn’t, he appears to be younger,” Abbott said.

Then, just five days later, on Feb. 13, there was another bank robbery. This time it was at the Wells Fargo inside the Fairwood Safeway, south of Renton.

“Detectives believe Shoreline and the Fairwood incident are most likely linked together, that the suspects had the same MO, they’re dressed the same and it seems they’re probably the same suspects,” Abbott said.

This time, the Sheriff’s Office said both suspects had guns.

"One had a silver handgun and actually pointed it at the teller. The other one had a black handgun,” Abbott said.

He said that change has investigators worried.

“I think detectives are concerned it's getting more violent, and we want to put a stop to it as quickly as possible,” he said.

In a third case, a Bank of America in Covington was also robbed back on Dec. 17. In that case, a man entered the bank alone.

“Guy goes in dressed like this with a mariner’s beanie on, brown scarf covering his face, he’s got glasses,” Abbott said.

The Sheriff’s Office said their best clue is the distinct getaway car, a red-orange Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck.

“The rims are extremely noticeable. It’s got a single cab, custom exhaust, custom rims,” Abbott said.

“We know someone recognizes it. We just need someone to give us a call and give us the info,” Abbott said.

If you have any information about any of the bank robberies, you’re asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office nonemergency line at 206-296-3311.

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