Armed robberies in Warden, Mattawa appear linked
Local Crime News
MATTAWA — Police believe armed robberies in Warden and Mattawa were done by the same two suspects.
Mattawa Police Department Chief John Turley said about 6 a.m. on Thursday two slender to medium build men, both dressed in white shoes, black jeans and gray hoodies, entered Ken’s Korner Texaco, located at 88 Government Road. One of the two suspects, who was reportedly wearing a skeleton mask and had white sleeves on his hoodie, pointed an unknown caliber handgun at the two female employees in the store.
The other suspect reportedly jumped the counter and one of the two employees opened a cash register, emptied the till and gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money. The employee then went to the second register and pulled out the money tray and the suspect with the gun grabbed the money with his free hand.
“The whole thing probably lasted about 60 seconds,” Turley said. “The suspect who had the gun, who was probably a little taller than the other suspect, also pointed the gun at two other people; one that was in purchasing and one that was there as a part of his job distributing food elements.”
The two suspects reportedly ran south along Portage Avenue and disappeared. Turley said video surveillance did not show a getaway vehicle in the area.
Mattawa police believe the two were the same suspects in an armed robbery that occurred Wednesday night in Warden. About 9:50 p.m. two suspects reportedly entered JR’s Economart, located at 200 E. First St. One of the suspects allegedly pointed a handgun at an employee in the store and the two suspects were able to flee the scene with $200 from the cash register.
“We determined that it was the same two suspects in witnessing the video from the Warden convenience store robbery,” Turley explained. “It was the same two suspects. Same exact modus operandi (method of operation). The same exact thing happened.”
Turley said people who have information on the Mattawa robbery can contact 509-932-4112. He said tipsters can remain anonymous. If you have information on the Warden robbery contact 509-739-1300.