Police believe the robber who robbed Union Market at knifepoint May 14 has robbed several other establishments in the city in recent weeks, including a business in Madison Valley near 28th and E Madison. Dubbed the “Menthol Bandit,” his M.O. is to order a pack of cigarettes, apparently menthols, before brandishing a knife and demanding cash. If you have any information or recognize the man in the attached images, contact the police.
Seattle Police Robbery detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the “Menthol Bandit” (pictured above), who has committed four armed robberies since April 22, 2011.
The suspect is described as a black male, 18 to 20 years old, 5’10″, medium build, black hair with sideburns, slight mustache and goatee, dark complexion, and wears a dark wool cap with a brim.
The suspect’s method of operation is to enter the targeted business, ask the clerk for a pack of cigarettes, brandish a knife and demand cash from the register. The suspect grabs the cash and flees the scene on foot.
Below is a listing of the “Menthol Bandit’s” pattern of convenience store armed robberies:
- April 22, 2011 at 1:05 p.m., 2500 block of North 50th Street
- May 8, 2011 at 7:43 p.m., 8200 block of Lake City Way NE
- May 12, 2011 at 12:28 p.m., 2800 block East Madison Street
- May 14, 2011 at 10:11 p.m., 900 block of 21st Avenue
Anyone who may know the identity or whereabouts of this suspect is asked to call 911 or the Seattle Police Robbery Unit at (206) 684-5535 and refer to the “Menthol Bandit”.
i hope next time he brings a knife to a gun fight.
In this day and age when we can read newspaper print from space is this really the best image of this guy we could get? Maybe after this 2nd robbery they may invest in better cameras.