A suspect accused of robbing a woman at gunpoint during an online marketplace transaction in Kent was arrested on Tuesday, June 9 following an operation by Valley SWAT, according to the Kent Police Department.
Police said the case began March 10 when a 33-year-old Seattle woman arranged through social media to sell a product to a buyer. The two agreed to meet in an apartment parking lot in Kent.
According to police, the woman called 911 in a panic after the buyer pulled a gun, took the shoes she was selling and fired several rounds. No one was injured, but the victim fled the scene and contacted authorities.
Patrol officers searched the area, but the suspect was not immediately located.
The case was assigned to Kent Detective Doucette for follow-up investigation. According to police, Doucette pursued leads that included the suspect’s social media account and ultimately identified both the suspect and his residence. Investigators also developed probable cause to seek charges of first-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Because the suspect was believed to be armed and had allegedly fired shots during the robbery, Valley SWAT was called in to assist with the arrest during the early morning hours of June 9.
Police said SWAT officers used a public address system to order the suspect out of the residence, but received no response. A hostage negotiator then made numerous calls to the suspect’s phone and another associated number, but neither was answered.
After officers announced they would enter the residence and still received no response, SWAT personnel breached the door. Police said the suspect then surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody.
Kent police praised the efforts of both the SWAT team and Detective Doucette.
“Great job by Valley SWAT securing the area to protect the neighbors, making many attempts to contact the suspect, and safely getting the suspect into custody,” the department said in a statement.
Police also commended Doucette for “piecing together the witness and evidentiary evidence to solve this crime.”
