The Hoquiam Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the 7-11 store off Lincoln Street early Thursday morning.
The call came in at 3:22 a.m., said Sgt. Rob Verboomen of the Hoquiam Police Department, several minutes after the incident, which occurred at 3:14 a.m., when a man wearing a bandana-style mask entered the store.
“Surveillance shows he was coming from across the street. He was wearing a mask,” said Lt. Jeff Salstrom. “He didn’t say anything. He put a bag on the counter and displayed a firearm. The clerk worked out the intent. He placed the money from the till in the bag, an undisclosed amount of money.”
The man than left the store, heading towards Eklund Avenue, Verboomen said. Police mounted a substantial response when notified several minutes later, Salstrom said.
“We had officers on duty,” Salstrom said. “Aberdeen units responded. Any time we have a class A felony happen, everyone comes.”
Police used canine and drone support to investigate the area, Salstrom said.
“Detectives are currently attempting to acquire surveillance video from locations in that area,” Salstrom said. “Investigation is ongoing.”
Armed robberies are relatively uncommon in the county, Salstrom said.
“In Hoquiam, maybe one a year,” Salstrom said. “It’s not a common crime like it is in King, Pierce, Snohomish counties.”
The potential gains of armed robbery are generally offset by the energetic police response and substantial sentences that come from being charged with it, Salstrom said.
“The consequences of this crime far outweigh the rewards,” Salstrom said. “It’s a Class A felony that almost guarantees prison time.”
Notifying police rapidly increases the likelihood of catching a suspect, Salstrom said. Compliance in the case of being robbed is recommended; no corporation is worth the risk of injury or death.
“Call immediately,” Salstrom said. “Generally we recommend people don’t resist the robbery, especially at a commercial establishment.”
Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.
