7 teens accused of robbery in west Olympia, police say
Seven teenagers, ranging from 13 to 18, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree robbery on Sunday after merchandise was stolen from Capital Mall and a nearby Target, according to Olympia police.
About 5:20 p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to Macy’s at Capital Mall after a report of a theft, Police Lt. Paul Lower said Tuesday.
The teens are believed to have entered the store and taken items when they were confronted by two security guards, Lower said. What began as shoplifting became a robbery when one of the teens revealed they had a gun, he said.
Two security guards also were reportedly punched. The teens were last seen leaving in a red SUV.
While police were investigating at the mall, officers learned a similar group had stolen items from a nearby Target, then drove behind the Target to a separate shopping center known as Capitol Village.
Police were able to detain the driver of the SUV at Capitol Village, but the other teens scattered to other area businesses. Police eventually found two of the teens at Burger King, two more at Emperor’s Palace and another two at Safeway across Cooper Point Road.
The red SUV had been stolen in Bellevue, Lower said.
This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 5:00 AM with the headline "7 teens accused of robbery in west Olympia, police say."
