Local

Seattle burglars threaten victims with COVID-19

SEATTLE — Three burglary suspects walked out of ULTA Beauty Store in White Center with $5,000 in merchandise, with one of the burglars declaring he had COVID-19 and suggesting he would spit on the victims.

According to a Seattle police report, just before noon on Monday, staff at the store say they witnessed three people, two women and one man, grabbing and concealing items inside bags.

The staff approached them about the stolen merchandise, which prompted the man to say they were being targeted because of a racial bias.

The man then threatened to shoot the female employees.

Then the man said he had COVID-19 and started to pull down his mask and the victims feared he was about to spit on them.

The burglars left the store without paying for the items, which the store valued at over $5,000.

Officers arrived and conducted a search of the area, but the suspects were not located.