Lakewood police have arrested three teenagers in connection with a series of robberies, mainly to bikini barista stands in the city, over the past several days.
The main robber is believed to be a 15-year-old boy, police said Monday. Investigators also arrested an 18-year-old who they believe acted as a lookout and a 19-year-old who was the getaway driver, police reported.
Police gave the following information on the crime spree:
The robberies began Sept. 27 when the robber entered the Deja Brew stand in the 7500 block of Steilacoom Boulevard just before 6 p.m. He held a knife to a barista’s neck and stole cash and the DVR for the video surveillance system.
The next night, a 16-year-old boy was robbed at gunpoint just before 7:30 p.m. at Phillips Road Southwest and Steilacoom Boulevard Southwest. The robber took a computer tablet from the teen and ran.
Investigators said the robber’s description matched that of the robber from Deja Brew.
On Thursday, police received a call just before 6 a.m. of a possible robbery at Deja Brew. Officers found that the robber from the previous holdup had tried to get into the stand. He ran off when he couldn’t get in the door.
About 30 minutes later, the same robber used a gun to hold up the Bikini Bottom Espresso stand in the 10500 block of Bridgeport Way Southwest, investigators believe.
The robber pulled out a gun and forced the barista to open the back door while a second person stood outside, acting as a lookout. The robber sexually assaulted the barista and took an undisclosed amount of money from the stand.
During the holdup the robber forced the barista to serve a customer who’d driven up. The robber stole the stand’s video surveillance system and left.
Detectives identified the three suspects through tips and surveillance work.
The 15-year-old was taken into custody at an apartment late Thursday. Inside the apartment, detectives found a realistic-looking pellet gun and the DVRs from the two coffee stands.
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268
stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
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