BOTHELL — A 16-year-old boy is accused of being armed with an Airsoft gun while robbing two espresso stands earlier this month.
The boy told Snohomish County sheriff’s detectives the “risk was worth the reward” when they asked him why he held up two baristas. He made off with about $500 before he was caught.
Prosecutors have charged the boy with first-degree robbery. Because of the seriousness of the crime and his age, the teen is being prosecuted as an adult.
The first robbery happened Dec. 4 in the 1700 block of 188th Place SE. The suspect walked up to the window and ordered a latte. When the barista turned to make the drink, he put on a pair of sunglasses, placed a backpack on the counter and pointed a gun at the woman. He demanded that she put cash from the register in his backpack.
The robbery was caught on the stand’s surveillance video.
A week later a second stand was hit in the 19300 block of Bothell-Everett Highway. The robber followed the same pattern. He ordered a drink, donned sunglasses and demanded money at gunpoint. The barista was scared and had trouble opening the cash register. He yelled at the woman, calling her derogatory names.
That robbery also was caught on video.
The suspect’s photograph was circulated and a school resource officer from Jackson High School recognized the boy. He had been expelled from school and was listed as a runaway, court papers said.
The teen was arrested last week and admitted that he robbed the stands, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Craig Matheson wrote. He told police he used an Airsoft gun, placing black tape on the barrel to disguise any markings that would reveal it wasn’t a real handgun.
The boy was sentenced last month for an unrelated assault. There was a warrant for his arrest at the time of the robberies.
Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @dianahefley
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