Kent, WA — November 2025
An armed robbery suspect was taken into custody Monday morning after a multi-agency response involving the Kent Police Department and Auburn Police, aided by Flock Safety camera technology.
The incident began around 6:45 a.m., when a Kent Patrol officer responded to an espresso stand on the 1700 block of Central Ave S. The employee, a 29-year-old woman, reported that a man had ordered a drink, displayed a gun, and demanded money. She described the suspect leaving in a white car, visibly shaken and fearing he would return.
After reviewing surveillance footage and obtaining the vehicle’s license plate, officers learned through the Flock system that the suspect vehicle was headed southbound into Auburn. The registered owner’s car was identified as a 4-door Lexus.
Auburn Police soon located the vehicle, unoccupied, near an apartment unit. Both departments set up surveillance, and at 8:52 a.m., a man matching the suspect’s description was spotted entering the residence. Officers observed multiple people inside and grew concerned the situation could escalate into a hostage scenario. The suspect was believed to be armed.
Attempts to communicate with those inside led officers to learn that a sleeping 16-month-old child had been accidentally left in the apartment. Shortly after, a woman called 911 reporting her husband was hiding in a closet claiming that the suspect had entered their home.
Officers evacuated nearby units, retrieved the child safely, and used crisis communication and de-escalation techniques to negotiate with the suspect. After repeated commands, he eventually opened the door while holding a steak knife. Officers persuaded him to drop the knife, and he was arrested without injury.
Kent Detectives later took over the investigation. The suspect, a 50-year-old Auburn man, was booked into jail on Robbery 1 charges. No one was injured during the incident.
Police emphasized the importance of Flock Safety cameras and coordinated teamwork in safely resolving what could have become a violent situation.