Six teenagers could be charged Monday with using a gun to rob Tacoma trick-or-treaters Halloween night.
They appeared in court Thursday and Pierce County prosecutors asked for a 72-hour hold while the investigation continued. Some of the teens could be charged as adults, Prosecuting Attorney Mark Lindquist said.
The teens – ages 13, 15, 16, 16 and 17 – will be held at Remann Hall, the juvenile detention center in Pierce County, through the weekend.
The robberies took place from 8 to 9:30 p.m. within blocks of each other at South Ridgewood Avenue and South 15th Street; in the 1200 block of South Ridgewood Avenue; at North Cushman Avenue and North Seventh Street; and in the 900 block of South Sheridan Avenue.
There were at least six victims – three children and three adults. They were frightened, but not hurt, police said.
The robbers wore blue bandanas and one carried a .22-caliber handgun, which he allegedly flashed at the victims and pointed toward at least one costumed trick-or-treater.
The thieves took mostly candy, cell phones, a backpack and a Devil mask.
While officers were on scene taking a report about one of the robberies, another was reported nearby. A police dog then tracked the robbers to a vehicle parked at South 15th Street and Sprague Avenue.
“We were already aware of the robberies and while we were in the area, the dog went out and tracked to the suspects attempting to hide in the car,” police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.
It’s unclear whether the vehicle was unlocked or the teens broke into it to hide. Police said it did not belong to any of the involved parties.
The teens were arrested without incident and booked into Remann Hall, the juvenile detention center in Pierce County. Five made initial court appearances Thursday.
Police recovered the stolen items, bandanas and handgun in the car.
Patrick Toohey took his children, ages 4 and 6, trick-or-treating in the Stadium District for part of the night. The area is safer for little kids than the 900 block of South Sheridan Avenue where they live, said Toohey, whose wife is part of the Neighborhood Watch.
The family was in bed by the time the robberies occurred.
“I think the neighborhood is safe, but we are aware and don’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on,” Toohey said Thursday. Potential trouble didn’t affect his 6-year-old daughter, Isabella, as she trick-or-treated in her ballerina costume. The candy haul was decent this year, she said.
“Had no problem with it,” she added.
Staff writer Alexis Krell contributed to this report.
Stacia Glenn: 253-597-8653 stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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