Olympia police asking for public’s help identifying suspect in two armed robberies
Police released photos Thursday of the man officers believe has committed two early-morning armed robberies at Olympia businesses this week. The department now wants the public’s help identifying the suspect.
The photos shared so far are low-quality, but offer three distinct features that may help someone identify the man, Lt. Paul Lower told The Olympian.
First, the athletic shoes he’s wearing are bright blue with white soles. He’s also wearing a bright blue ski mask that has eye openings lined with yellow seams, Lower said. And, judging by how he’s holding a handgun, he’s left-handed.
If anybody knows a person who checks those three boxes, Lower said it’s “worth a quiet call” to the department.
The two armed robberies in which the man is a suspect happened about a half-mile apart on Olympia’s east side.
The first robbery was at Twisters Donuts on the 2300 block of Fourth Avenue East Sunday about 6:30 a.m., and the second was at Silvers Saloon on the 2700 block of Pacific Avenue Southeast Wednesday about 6 a.m.
In both cases, a man entered the business, confronted an employee with a handgun, and demanded money. Cash was stolen from both businesses, Lower said, but the amount has yet to be determined.
Both victims described the suspect as a man with dark skin who is short in stature, Lower said, and surveillance footage now corroborates that description. Both victims also described the man as wearing a gray hoodie with the hood over his head.
“We’re in a spot now that we believe they are related and we are treating the investigation as such,” Lower said.
The department has received tips from the community since The Olympian’s previous coverage, Lower said, and is following up on those tips. But officers could still use the community’s help.
Anyone who recognizes the person in the photograph is asked to call Olympia police at 360-754-8300 or Crime Stoppers of South Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS.
The department hopes to release higher-quality imagery soon.
This story was originally published March 5, 2020 at 10:44 AM.
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