After a very tense four+-hour stand-off, the King County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man at Big 5 Sporting Goods on SW 148th Street Tuesday morning (Dec. 2) after he apparently rammed his vehicle through the front door. Despite the huge police turnout, and the fact that the man had tried to steal guns from the business, there were no injuries reported. No employees were inside at the time of the attempted drive-through. Police say that the suspect crashed a mini-van into the front door, drove around inside, then got stuck trying to exit. He then barricaded himself inside the business, hiding for a while inside the rafters near the ceiling, according to police. A SWAT team was called, armed police were seen on the roof and around the building, and a heavily armed vehicle was positioned at the front door. A flash grenade was set off, a robot was sent inside, and police used a chainsaw to cut into the roof. Apparently the usually-locked guns and ammunition cases inside the store were broken into, and police say the suspect had loaded weapons into his vehicle. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) was on scene as the stand-off wound down. Police closed the usually-busy SW 148th Street from 1st Ave South to 4th Ave SW as a precaution and urged motorists to use alternate routes during the standoff. At 11:48 a.m., police sent out this Tweet, showing the damage inside the store:
Lots of damage inside the sporting goods store. Suspect in custody. Scene will now be processed by detectives. pic.twitter.com/p4q2lvMEnj — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
This is what deputies arrived to at the store this morning. The suspect had been loading up guns to take. pic.twitter.com/M3L69MBY0K — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014Around 11 a.m. Burien Police announced that one suspect had been arrested:
We have detained one person at the #Burien burglary. Unknown if there are more suspects inside. — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014Police also report that the suspects were “trying to steal guns”:
One suspect in custody. SWAT searching for any others. They were trying to steal guns. — Burien Police (@BurienPD) December 2, 2014
Tactical units will continue working to clear the sporting goods store, looking for any other suspects inside. #Burien #swat — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
ON SCENE: #ATFSeattle surveys the aftermath of the attempted robbery of the Big 5 in Burien WA pic.twitter.com/HFw9IICQUK — ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 2, 2014Deputies first responded around 7 a.m. after receiving a report of a vehicle crashing into the building, located at 125 SW 148th Street. We haven’t heard yet of any lockdowns at nearby schools, but the administration at Kennedy Catholic High School, located eight blocks to the north, sent out this email:
Dear Parents and Guardians, The news has been covering a break-in at the Big 5 sporting goods store in Burien. At this time 148th Street is closed with tactical teams surrounding the store with suspects inside. We have been alerted by authorities of a potential safety concern and we remain in close communication for any status changes. The safety committee is on standby to implement lockdown, should it be necessary. We will keep you informed as the day progresses. The safety of the students is our highest priority. The AdministrationAnd the Highline School District sent out this notice about Highline High School (located at 225 S. 152nd Street) just after 11 a.m.:
“There is police activity in the area of SW 148th and 1st Avenue at the Big 5 store in Burien. Police have recommended students at Highline High School stay on campus during lunch today so we have closed campus. The activity is currently contained inside the Big 5 store and not affrecting any other schools. We have additional security officers on hand at area schools and are monitoring the situation closely. We will take appropriate steps to keep students safe as directed by the King County Sheriff.”Here’s a photo courtesy David Sharpe, who added “Very crazy!!! The place was surrounded with police. From what IÂ understand the police caught the robbers. At least that is what one officer told me.”:
Deputies on scene of a commercial burglary in #Burien in the 100 block of SW 148. Suspect is believed to still be inside the building. — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
Entry was made to the business by driving a vehicle through the front doors. Best to avoid the area for now. Tactical units are en route. — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
Due to the barricaded person situation in #Buriend SW 148th Street is now closed from 1st Ave to 3rd Ave SW. Use alternate routes. — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
Pic of vehicle into building this AM in #Burien. At least 1 suspect is barricaded inside. pic.twitter.com/0OuBftm4jh — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
Police at the Burien Big 5 trying to contact a burglary suspect who drove into the front doors. pic.twitter.com/2YUZvkW8EU — Jon Repp (@JonRepp) December 2, 2014
#swat @KingCoSheriff now in roof searching for burglary suspect #burien #big5 #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/ay0BgX04Sg — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014
Fire dept ladder now over to roof since suspect who drove into #Big5 #burien may be in crawl space #liveokomo pic.twitter.com/gXoVq2CUrJ — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014
Burglar drives a car into the Big 5 store in Burien. Police have swarmed the building. pic.twitter.com/P7lEokY0Ol — Mimi Jung (@MimiJungKING5) December 2, 2014
Thieves smash car into Burien Big 5. Crooks still inside police swarm area. @JonRepp on scene. #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/2TPsjdC5jJ — Carleen Johnson (@CarleenOnKOMO) December 2, 2014
@kingcosoPIO Burien burglary suspect drove into Big 5 SportingGoodStore barricaded inside, swat negotiating pic.twitter.com/d3cOvn8Hj9 — Teresa Yuan (@TeresaYuan) December 2, 2014
Last one, way to cold. Ah Burien! pic.twitter.com/OPEJTHC9ji — HHause (@HarryHause) December 2, 2014
Just heard flash bang @KingCoSheriff #swat driving up to front door #big5 #burien #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/MTSj7jqGaJ — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014
#Q13FOX Very Active Scene Here In Burien! Suspect Smashed Car Into Storefront Then Barricades Himself Inside! pic.twitter.com/efVYBaJaGN — Dante Jackson (@DJackQ13FOX) December 2, 2014
Officers moving in on loud speaker telling suspects in #burien @big5since55 to give up call 911 if hurt #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/vGWULXe1Jp — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014
Can now hear @KingCoSheriff chainsaw cutting into roof @big5since55 #burien #liveonkomo suspects inside since 6:30am pic.twitter.com/6QzqIlItfZ — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014
SWAT Robot moved into position outside Burien Big 5 store where 2 alleged robbers are holding up. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/9nnrAPBGzi — Rob Munoz (@RobKIRO7) December 2, 2014
Suspects in Burien Big 5 still not talking w King Co Deputies all over building. Chainsaw is back to cut through… pic.twitter.com/2UxhWpuXB2 — Rob Munoz (@RobKIRO7) December 2, 2014
“We’re not going away” @KingCoSheriff #swat negotiator says through loudspeaker at #burien #standoff #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/COOOBuAqtG — Katie Johnson Stern (@photogKatie) December 2, 2014
“We’ll use gas if you don’t come out” @KingCoSheriff #swat on loudspeaker at #burien #standoff #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/tF9C0bhnEV — Katie Johnson Stern (@photogKatie) December 2, 2014
Deputies believe two burglars hiding in Burien Big 5. Rifle cases and ammo have been accessed. Standoff goes on. pic.twitter.com/3v4bGmlqvR — Graham Johnson (@GrahamKIRO7) December 2, 2014
Patrol, SWAT, K9, Negotiators, and detectives are on scene still attempting to locate possible suspects. — Burien Police (@BurienPD) December 2, 2014
Hostage negotiators continue to try making contact w/suspects believed to be inside sporting goods store in #Burien. SW 148 still closed. — KingcosoPIO (@kingcosoPIO) December 2, 2014
Very tense scene at the Burien Big 5. pic.twitter.com/09vnz8Q8Dh — Eric Jensen (@EricJensenKomo) December 2, 2014
#BREAKING 1 suspect in custody in Burien Burglary. #LiveOnKOMO pic.twitter.com/cMVwRgYTof — Gerardo (@grlopez4) December 2, 2014
This guy is not going willingly. Update on @KING5Seattle at Noon. #burien pic.twitter.com/hMwu9DwGLQ — Rebecca Perry (@Rebecca_Perry) December 2, 2014
Still working to clear #big5 store #burien but rt now @KingCoSheriff has this man in custody #liveonkomo pic.twitter.com/4J64tT9ZTp — Denise Whitaker (@deniseonKOMO) December 2, 2014]]>