Hotel robber strikes twice more

A man thought to have committed at least eight armed robberies, primarily at hotels, has apparently struck again, this time holding up late night desk clerks at hotels in Tukwila and Seattle.

At 12:07 a.m. today, Tukwila police were called to the Doubletree Guest Suites hotel at 16500 Southcenter Parkway for the second time this week, said Sgt. Steve Donnelly. Once again, employees gave a similar description of the man who was carrying what looked like a gun concealed in either a plastic bag or towel.

"He came in unnoticed, got behind the counter and confronted the clerk," who handed over an undisclosed amount of money, he said.

"We believe this is the same person responsible for robberies around the Puget Sound…He's at the top of the list for people we're looking for now."

Two Doubletree Suites employees were confronted by a man around 3 a.m. Monday, who demanded money and left before police could arrive.

About an hour after the Tukwila robbery, Seattle police were called to the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza at 1113 Sixth Avenue, said police spokesman Rich Pruitt. A man, armed with what appeared to be a pistol, walked into the hotel and ordered employees into a back room.

"We received (a 911) call as the robbery was going down" at 1:14 a.m. but again, the man was able to get away with an undisclosed amount of cash before police arrived, Pruitt said.

In addition to the robberies in Tukwila and Seattle, police believe the same man may be responsible for a series of armed robberies since March 5 in Renton, Federal Way and Bellevue. Detectives from those jurisdictions will be comparing notes, Donnelly said.

The man is described as 25 to 35 years old, 6-feet tall with brown skin and a medium build. He typically wears dark clothing and a scarf over his face.