Seattle hit by string of overnight armed robberies

Police investigating three incidents at local convenience stores within 30 minutes

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:51am

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An extreme close-up of a cash register drawer, its metal edges and interior mechanisms dramatically lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the stark, gritty, and investigative nature of the armed robberies.The aftermath of a violent crime spree targeting local convenience stores exposes the harsh realities of urban robbery.Seattle Today

The Seattle Police Department is investigating a series of three armed robberies that occurred overnight at local convenience stores in the West Seattle and Beacon Hill neighborhoods. All three incidents happened within a 30-minute timeframe, with the suspects described as young males dressed in all black clothing, some potentially working together.

Why it matters

Violent crimes like armed robberies are concerning for any community, as they can instill fear and impact public safety. The close timing and similar descriptions of the suspects suggest this may have been a coordinated crime spree, which is unusual for the Seattle area and raises questions about the perpetrators' motives and potential connections.

The details

According to the Seattle Police Department, the crime spree began around 12:45 a.m. on Friday with an armed robbery at a 7-Eleven in West Seattle. A man dressed in black told the clerk he had a gun and demanded cash, which the clerk handed over before the robber fled. Minutes later, another 7-Eleven in West Seattle was hit, with a similar suspect description and method. The third robbery occurred around 1:15 a.m. at a market in Beacon Hill, this time with two males dressed in black and armed with guns who took the entire cash drawer.

  • The first robbery occurred around 12:45 a.m. on Friday, April 18, 2026.
  • The second robbery was reported just minutes after the first, around 1:00 a.m.
  • The third robbery took place around 1:15 a.m. the same morning.

The players

Seattle Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the string of armed robberies.

Brian Pritchard

A detective with the Seattle Police Department who provided comments on the incidents.

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What they’re saying

“This is something that is unusual. We don't see a lot, but we've seen it before where if there's a crew or there's two suspects, they're just going from one place to another trying to rob these stores.”

— Brian Pritchard, Detective, Seattle Police Department

“They did the right thing – gave them the money, get to a safe place, once that's done, call 911.”

— Brian Pritchard, Detective, Seattle Police Department

What’s next

Investigators are looking into a possible connection between the three robberies, as the first two incidents had similar suspect descriptions and occurred in close proximity, while the third had two suspects instead of one. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing the areas for any additional leads.

The takeaway

This string of armed robberies in Seattle highlights the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement and the community to address violent crimes. While no one was physically harmed, the incidents have understandably raised concerns about public safety, and the police are working to determine if the robberies were part of a coordinated effort by the same individuals.