Local

Masked man sought in series of Tacoma armed robberies

By KIRO 7 News Staff
By KIRO 7 News Staff

TACOMA, Wash. — Pierce County sheriff’s detectives are asking for help identifying a man believed to be responsible for three armed robberies last weekend in the Midland area of South Tacoma.

The robberies happened on the following dates and locations:

  • Friday, Nov. 16 at 11:46 p.m. at the Chevron gas station at 104th Street and Portland Avenue
  • Saturday, Nov. 17 at 12:02 a.m. at the Union 76 gas station at 99th and Golden Given Road East
  • Sunday, Nov. 18 at 12:43 a.m. at the Bigfoot Java espresso stand at 112th Street East and Portland Avenue

Detectives say the robber entered the Chevron with a firearm, demanded cash from the clerk, took the money and ran from the scene.

About 15 minutes later, the same armed man entered a Union 76 gas station, banged on the cash register and then fired three shots into the ceiling.  The clerk was hiding behind the counter and the robber ran away empty-handed.

In those incidents, the robber was described as a short man wearing a red jacket, brown pants and a gray ski mask.

Early the next morning, the robber first knocked, then tried to pry open, a window at Bigfoot Java.

He then pointed a gun at the barista, who ran and hid in the back of the business.  The suspect then ran from the scene without any cash.

Police said in that case, the robber appeared to be a man, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and 215 pounds, who was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, black athletic pants, black gloves, a gray ski mask and a red backpack.

Anyone with information about the robberies or who knows the identity of the suspect is asked to send a private message on the Pierce County Sheriff's Department's Facebook page, call the sheriff's department or email an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County, or call them at 1-800-222-TIPS.

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