Drone helps Kent Police locate robbery suspect at Clark Lake Park

Kent Police arrested a 24-year-old Kent man for investigation of robbery after he and his 42-year-old mother reportedly took items from a store.

Officers responded at about 6:46 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4 to a store in the 25900 block of 104th Avenue SE, according to a Kent Police news release.

The man reportedly fled into the back seat of an unlicensed car being driven by his mother, also of Kent. Before they could take off, a store employee attempted to make contact, but retreated when the man reportedly pointed a gun at her. The vehicle fled. Officers reviewed available video to attempt to identify the suspects and/or their vehicle.

At about 12:40 p.m., two officers saw the male suspect near the 12200 block of SE 240th Street. He was walking away from a sedan matching the suspect vehicle and into Clark Lake Park, 12520 SE 240th St. Police set up a perimeter around the area to prevent escape and protect the community.

Officers detained the man’s mother as a K-9 unit entered the park to locate him. During this time, the female companion told police the suspect was her son.

Renton Police responded with a drone to assist in the search and a 911 call from a local business helped to locate the man as well, according to Kent Police. Eventually, officers found the man hiding underneath a natural ledge. He refused to come out, but after a potential release of a K-9 announcement, he was taken into custody.

The gun was not located, but the suspect claimed he dumped it during his run and that “it was a BB gun,” according to police Officers arrested the man for investigation of robbery and transported him to the King County jail.

Kent Police said officers have had multiple contacts with the man in the past few years.