Kent Police nab armed robbery suspect at West Hill gas station, second flees scene

A 31-year-old Auburn man was arrested late Monday night, Jan. 6, 2025, after allegedly threatening a gas station employee with a knife during an attempted robbery on West Hill, according to the Kent Police Department.

Officers responded to a 911 call at 11:48 p.m. from a gas station employee who reported that two men entered the store, stole items, and caused damage.

“We later learned that the suspects had stolen items from the store on previous occasions; the employee recognized them when they entered last night and told them to leave,” police said.

The suspects instead proceeded to attempt to heat up a pizza they had brought into the store, damaged items and when confronted again, the first suspect threatened to assault him.

Officers from Sergeants Chapman and Lontz’s teams, including Officers Lyon, T. Thomas, Heasley, Hegamin, and Landi, arrived at the scene and quickly located the armed suspect in the store’s parking lot. The man was standing near the entrance, raising concerns that he might re-enter and harm the employee. Despite multiple attempts by officers to de-escalate the situation and repeated commands to drop the items he was holding, the suspect refused to comply.

When the suspect turned to walk away, officers detained him from behind. He resisted arrest, prompting officers to take him to the ground to ensure he could not access the knife, which was later recovered from his front pocket along with drug paraphernalia.

The man was booked on multiple charges, including a warrant for first-degree criminal trespass related to a previous incident.

The second suspect fled before police arrived and remains at large.

“Great teamwork and safe tactics from these Officers while capturing an armed suspect,” police said.