Auburn Police were called to the Auburn Safeway shortly before 11:00 am for reports of an armed robbery.
According to Auburn Police Commander Mike Hirman, a male in his late 20’s was attempting to take two slices of cheesecake when another shopper attempted to stop him. The man took out what was later determined to be a BB gun and pointed it at the civilian.
Hirman confirmed officers located the man about a block from the store. He was arrested for Robbery in the first degree.
Despite the robbery initiating with the man allegedly attempting to steal cheesecake, his displaying the BB gun gave officers probable cause to arrest him for Robbery in the first degree.
Robbery in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of robbery in the first degree if:
(a) In the commission of a robbery or of immediate flight therefrom, he or she:
(i) Is armed with a deadly weapon; or
(ii) Displays what appears to be a firearm or other deadly weapon; or
(iii) Inflicts bodily injury; or
(b) He or she commits a robbery within and against a financial institution as defined in RCW 7.88.010 or 35.38.060.
(2) Robbery in the first degree is a class A felony.
Prosecutors will determine if charges will be filed.
Last updated: 12/7/2020 2:16 PM
Robbing cheesecake from the Safeway using a BB gun? Two pieces worth maybe six bucks at most? This guy has NO idea the trouble he’s in. Fake gun or not…WA state has a gun enhancement sentencing law on the books. You get an extra five years. If you combine that with a relatively light (cheesecake) sentence, he could serve a year for each buck the cheesecake was worth. Maybe six years.
The moral is: Next time go to the Food Bank instead, and leave the BB gun at home.