Hoquiam Police are still looking for an armed robber who hit the SmokeTown conveniece store in the 3000 block of Simpson Avenue Friday evening, said Police Chief Jeff Myers.

The tall, slender white male entered the store just before 8 p.m., waited for a customer to leave and walked behind the counter, pulling a large black knife on the 43-year-old store owner. She was able to get free and run out the front door as the suspect attempted to open the cash register, using the knife to try to pry the locked drawer open at one point.

The store owner stood outside yelling for help and got the attention of a 21-year-old Hoquiam man who happened to be driving by. The man was armed and entered the store to confront the robber. The suspect raised his hands but began to advance on the armed citizen, who kept the suspect at gunpoint while backing out of the store. The suspect then fled on foot.

Shortly after, a Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s deputy who was transporting a prisoner to the hospital was flagged down by the store owner. Personnel from Hoquiam, Aberdeen, the Sheriff’s Office and State Patrol quickly set a perimeter and called a canine unit to the scene, but the suspect could not be located.

“The suspect in this case should be considered armed and dangerous. The entire robbery lasted 62 seconds; the confrontation between the armed citizen and suspect was five seconds. Given all that could have happened during this incident, we are thankful that no one was injured; however it is important this suspect be identified and taken off the street,” said Myers.

Security footage from the store revealed the suspect was wearing a camouflage hunting jacket with a hood over a beanie hat, white gloves, long dark-colored blue jeans and white shoes. The male had the jacket zipped up high so it covered the bottom of his face, the video shows.

During the course of the investigation and search, several people on foot were contacted by Hoquiam officers, including a male with white shoes in the 400 block of 30th Street who was subsequently arrested on an outstanding felony probation warrant from the Department of Corrections. Another male subject wanted on a Hoquiam warrant was arrested near the YMCA by a Washington State Trooper. Myers said neither could be tied to the robbery.

When contacted Tuesday morning, Hoquiam Police Det. Ryan Pearson said they had not developed any confirmed leads on the identity of the suspect, but Myers later added they were working a new lead later Tuesday morning. Hoquiam Police are requesting anyone with information regarding this robbery contact Grays Harbor E911 Communications. Tips can also be directed to Pearson at 360-532-0892 extension 102 or rpearson@cityofhoquiam.com.

HOQUIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Hoquiam Police are seeking this man, who was caught on video robbing the SmokeTown convenience store on Simpson Avenue Friday evening. Armed with a large black knife, the man was able to evade capture even after being confronted by an armed citizen as he attempted to pry open the store’s cash drawer with the knife.

HOQUIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Hoquiam Police are seeking this man, who was caught on video robbing the SmokeTown convenience store on Simpson Avenue Friday evening. Armed with a large black knife, the man was able to evade capture even after being confronted by an armed citizen as he attempted to pry open the store’s cash drawer with the knife.

HOQUIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT Hoquiam Police are seeking this man, who was caught on video robbing the SmokeTown convenience store on Simpson Avenue Friday evening. Armed with a large black knife, the man was able to evade capture even after being confronted by an armed citizen as he attempted to pry open the store’s cash drawer with the knife.