Police arrest Auburn man they suspect tried to kidnap a barista

Reportedly attempted to pull barista through drive-up window Jan. 16

Auburn Police Department vehicle. Courtesy photo

The Auburn Police Department arrested a suspect Tuesday afternoon they believe to be the person who tried to abduct a barista early Monday morning, Jan. 16.

Security camera footage caught the suspect trying to pull the barista through a window with a device that appears to include a looped zip tie. The barista fought off the attacker, who then drove away.

“We arrested him at his home in Auburn,” Kolby Crossley, public information officer for the Auburn Police Department, said early Tuesday afternoon. “We conducted a quick search of the vehicle and found evidence linking him to the scene.”

Police quickly got the word out that they were looking for a man with a distinct tattoo on his left forearm that appeared to read “Chevrolet.” And the public responded big time.

“The overwhelming support from the community was tremendous. They were a great help in identifying the suspect,” Crossley said.

Auburn Police did not release an address for the coffee stand.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Northwest

Auburn state Sen. Phil Fortunato and King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn.
Dunn, Fortunato on DeSantis’ Washington state campaign strategy team

The Florida governor is trying to make inroads in the blue state with his presidential campaign

(Sound Publishing File Photo)
Washington minimum wage to top $16 an hour next year

Meanwhile, some salaried workers and rideshare drivers could see their earnings rise from other state-required adjustments.

King County Crime Dive podcast.
Man stabs former teacher | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at a man who stabbed his former teacher at a Catholic school in Federal Way; and Renton police warn of staged vehicle collisions that result in carjackings.

King County Crime Dive podcast.
2 injured in shootout; man stabbed in tent | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at a shootout in Auburn, a stabbing in a wooded area in Renton, and a smash-and-grab burglary in Federal Way.

t
Renton man pleads not guilty in mother’s homicide

King County prosecutors filed charges against Walter Smith

t
Renton man hunted down man in Seattle with knife, prosecutors say

Faces first-degree murder charge for Seattle stabbing

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn (File photo)
King County Councilmember calls for audit of juvenile diversion programs

Reagan Dunn says the program lacks transparency and accountability measures.

t
Grant will help expand services at Auburn mental health clinic

The $940,298 grant will fund planning, development and expansion of facility

Screenshot of SUDORS from Dept. of Health website
Dept. of Health launches dashboard to track overdose death data

DOH aims to help communities better understand overdose deaths, make informed prevention decisions

Gov. Jay Inslee. COURTESY PHOTO, Office of the Governor
Gov. Jay Inslee tests positive for COVID-19

‘He is experiencing very mild symptoms, including a mild cough’ governor’s office says

t
Renton aircraft company denies liability in 2022 fatal crash

Pilot and all 9 passengers died after the plane crashed and sank in the waters near Whidbey Island.

File photo
King County Council members encourage people to not drive for a week

The Week Without Driving is meant to put policy makers, elected leaders and transportation professionals in the place of those who don’t have the option to drive.