Restaurant robbery suspect pleads not guilty

A man suspected of at least 15 restaurant robberies throughout Pierce and South King counties was charged with and pleaded not guilty to some of the crimes on Wednesday.

Jason Woods, 41, was charged with four counts of first-degree robbery, one count of attempted first-degree robbery, unlawful gun possession and two counts of drug possession.

Pierce County Court Commissioner Meagan Foley set his bail at $2 million. Court records did not list his attorney.

Prosecutors said a “long string” of similar robberies is under investigation.

According to charging papers:

Police arrested Woods on Monday after DNA, surveillance footage and witnesses identified him as a suspect in the robberies

Police said the robber ordered a small item to go before pulling a handgun and demanding money in these holdups:

▪ Nov. 12, Denny’s on South Hosmer Street in Tacoma.

▪ Aug. 29, Buttered Biscuit on North Street in Sumner.

▪ Aug. 31, Ma’s Place on 39th Avenue SW in Puyallup.

▪ Dec. 4, Starbucks on South 56th Street in Tacoma.

Woods allegedly tried to rob the Midland Eatery on Portland Avenue on Sept. 25 , but fled when an employee pressed an alarm button.

Police said they found heroin and methamphetamine on him during his arrest on Monday.

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Restaurant robbery suspect pleads not guilty."