Man sought in string of robberies surrenders to Seattle police

A 34-year-old man suspected of holding-up 15 North Seattle businesses since February surrendered to Seattle police this morning after officers surrounded the Magnolia apartment complex where he was staying.

Seattle police robbery detectives "have been working around the clock on this for days," said Officer Sean Whitcomb. Their investigative work led police to an apartment in the 2700 block of West Manor Place, where officers began arriving shortly after 5 a.m. Negotiators called the man on the phone just before 7 a.m. and he gave himself up at 7:29 a.m., he said.

Two women and a child were also inside the apartment, Whitcomb said. Police arrested one of the women on suspicion she tried to hinder officers' arrest of the robbery suspect, he said.

By 8:30 a.m., police were doing a sweep of the apartment to see if they could find a weapon, Whitcomb said. In each of the robberies, the man implied he had a gun but did not show one.

Considered a pattern robber, the man is suspected of holding-up gas stations, convenience stores and other small businesses from Maple Leaf to Ballard. On Monday, he is suspected of committing four robberies.

Police also wanted the man on suspicion of assaulting a police officer after a March 26th incident in which the man is accused of ramming a police cruiser with a stolen car, Whitcomb said. The man was to be booked into the King County Jail, he said.

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com