ML liquor store robbed by machete wielding man

MOSES LAKE - A Moses Lake man allegedly robbed a Moses Lake liquor store, armed with a machete, Friday night before being apprehended by Moses Lake police.

Nicholas Avery Sweet, 21, was booked into Grant County Jail on suspicion of first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree robbery and first-degree assault after allegedly walking into Moses Lake Liquor and Wine on North Stratford Road with a machete and demanding cash.

According to Mike Ventura, owner of the business, Sweet walked in about 5:20 p.m. Friday wearing a scarf partially covering his face and sunglasses. Sweet allegedly approached a check-out counter when he pulled out the machete and demanded cash from the female employee, eventually walking behind the counter and threatening the woman with the machete.

Ventura said he was in an office near the front door when Sweet walked in. When he heard the commotion coming from the store, he walked out and circled the store to the counter where he said Sweet also allegedly threatened him with the large knife. Ventura told the employee to give Sweet an undisclosed amount of cash from the till and Sweet then ran out the door.

Several customers were inside at the time of the robbery and were able to help give police a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Ventura said many of the customers stuck around for at least an hour following the incident.

Ventura said one officer recognized the suspect from surveillance video inside the store. Sweet was later located about 11 p.m. at an apartment complex in the 200 block of Ninth Avenue in Moses Lake, according to jail records. More information on the arrest from Moses Lake police was not available Monday.

Ventura commended the quick response and efficiency by Moses Lake police during the incident, adding the officers were able to calm everyone down, and thanked the customers who helped provide vital information to identify the suspect.