Distinct tattoo helps ID Lynnwood bikini-barista robber

The suspect was booked into jail for investigation of first-degree robbery.

LYNNWOOD — A man robbed a bikini barista stand at gunpoint earlier this month near Lynnwood, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. But he didn’t think to cover up a distinctive tattoo on his hand. The suspect was booked into jail May 13.

A thin man dressed in black ordered a smoothie at the espresso stand around 3:30 p.m. May 3, in the 15300 block of Highway 99. Once the barista returned to the window, the customer had a black pistol in his right hand, court papers say. He told her he’d shoot if she called 911. He told her he had a messed up life, and that she needed to give him all the money, according to her report to police. She handed him cash from the till. He ran north on Highway 99.

Deputies called in a police dog from Lynnwood, but couldn’t find the suspect. He was described as about 5-feet-9, wearing jeans and a black jacket, with a crown tattoo on his left hand between his thumb and index finger. The business posted a photo of the robber on social media, and received several messages that it looked like a 31-year-old man from Renton.

A tipster told police the man had a crown tattoo on his hand. A deputy looked up his Facebook page, and saw the tattoo on his left hand.

Officers tracked down the man’s father, who told deputies he didn’t want his son around his home when he was using drugs. His father looked at a picture from the robbery. He identified the man as his son, according to the report. He hadn’t seen him in about six months, he told police.

Court records show the man has one felony on his record as an adult in Snohomish County, for prying open a locked jewelry case at a Walmart near Lynnwood to steal gold earrings. Security caught him. He admitted to police he stole the goods to sell them or trade them for heroin, according to charging papers. That was in 2010.

He was booked into Snohomish County Jail this month for investigation of first-degree robbery. He remained behind bars Saturday with bail set at $50,000.

Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.

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