Alleged West Seattle bank robbers plead not guilty

Two men pleaded not guilty this morning in connection with a foiled bank robbery and chase July 1 that ended with one being wounded by police in downtown Seattle.

Douglas Cox, 50, is charged with first-degree robbery, assault and attempting to elude police. Kevin Palmer, 43, is charged with armed robbery and eluding police.

Police say Cox, who has a long criminal record that includes convictions in connection with five previous bank robberies, emptied the cash drawers at a West Seattle Wells Fargo Bank branch, threatening tellers with a pellet gun. Palmer, whose criminal history included convictions for theft, possession of stolen property, cocaine possession and bank fraud, served as the getaway driver, police said.

The pair was foiled by an exploding dye pack that a teller had stashed in the bag, police said. They pulled over, and Cox got out the vehicle to escape the fumes, but jumped back in when he was confronted by two police officers, police said. Cox and Palmer allegedly led police on a chase along Highway 99 before Palmer exited the vehicle in Capitol Hill, where he was quickly arrested, police said.

Cox took the wheel, but the vehicle was surrounded on Spring Street in downtown Seattle, according to police. Police said Cox raised his right hand to display a gun, and officers fired 15 shots at him, hitting him up to five times in the head and neck. During this morning's court appearance, Cox wore several bandages over his wounds.

Cox and Palmer will return to court Aug. 4 for a case-setting hearing. Both men are in King County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail each.

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com