Information from the City of Des Moines Police Department
On October 29, 2022 at about 2348 hrs, a sergeant with the Des Moines Police Department was flagged down by two male citizens in the area of S. 216th ST and Pacific Hwy S. The victims were visibly upset and appeared frightened. Both stated they had just been approached by four to five male subjects armed with handguns and demanded they lay down in the middle of the street. One victim indicated a suspect pointed a handgun at his head, charged a bullet into the chamber, and then ordered him to hand over his personal possessions. The victim complied as he was in fear for his life. The suspects then stole the other victim’s vehicle after pointing guns at him.
Des Moines Police Officers immediately broadcast the situation and descriptions to area law enforcement. Within about 20 minutes, officers from Federal Way Police Department located the stolen vehicle in the area of 32000 Pacific Hwy S. Officers observed five suspects flee the vehicle on foot and gave chase. One adult male and three juvenile males were captured. Officer’s recovered a handgun that matched the description provided by the victims.
The adult male was booked into the King County Jail on 72-hour investigative hold for Robbery 1st Degree. The three juveniles were booked into King County Juvenile Detention Center on 72-hour investigative holds for Robbery 1st Degree.
Yesterday, we learned the four suspects were released from custody within the 72-hour hold, prior to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office or judges receiving the entire case. Two 17 year olds were released on electronic home monitoring. One 16 year old was released to parents and an 18 year old was released on personal recognizance.
Chief Ken Thomas of the Des Moines Police Department is “extremely disappointed with this decision to release dangerous, armed, violent criminals back into the community with seemingly no consequence. During a time when violent gun crime is on the rise in King County, this lack of serious consideration to keep these most dangerous criminals in custody is a travesty. It is the top priority of law enforcement to help keep our community safe. These actions taken by prosecutors and judges undermine that mission. The two victims in this case were not taken seriously by our criminal justice system.”
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