The Hoquiam Police did not catch their man last night in an incident that Grays Harbor Scanner alerted the community to Friday evening in regards to an armed robbery at the Smoke Town Store in the 3000 block of Simpson Ave.  

Police Chief Jeff Myers is asking for the publics help in regards to information that can lead them to this suspect and that the person should be considered Armed and Dangerous.

Chief Myers says that pn Friday night, May 25, 2018 at approximately 1955 hours, a passing Sheriff’s Department sergeant transporting a prisoner to the hospital was flagged down in front of SmokeTown convenience store in the 3000 block of Simpson Avenue to report a robbery.

Hoquiam officers responded to the scene and set up containment with the assistance of Aberdeen PD, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office and State Patrol units as the suspect had fled out of the store on foot moments earlier. A Sheriff’s Department canine team was called out from home for a canine track.

In reviewing surveillance video, officers determined a tall, very slender white male entered the store after waiting for a customer to leave. The male was wearing a camouflage hunting jacket with hood over a beanie hat, white gloves, long dark colored blue jeans and white shoes. The male had the jacket zipped up high so it covered the bottom of his face.

The male came around the back of the counter with a large black knife in his hand. The 42-year old female store owner was able to flee out the front door as the suspect attempted to open the cash drawer.

When the suspect was unable to trigger the cash drawer, he attempted to pry it open with the knife.

The victim was outside yelling for help which attracted the attention of a passing motorist. A 21-year old Hoquiam man stopped and entered the store whereby he interrupted the robbery in progress. The citizen was armed and drew his firearm ordering the suspect to stop.

The suspect started advancing on the citizen at the front door. The citizen backed out of the store as he held the suspect at gunpoint. The suspect put up his hands and was able to slip out the front door before fleeing on foot.

A canine track and extensive search of the area was conducted to no avail.

During the course of the investigation and search, several persons on foot were contacted by Hoquiam officers, including a male with white shoes in the 400 block of 30th Street who was subsequently arrested on an outstanding felony probation warrant from the Department of Corrections. Another male subject wanted on a Hoquiam warrant was arrested near the YMCA by a Washington State Trooper.

At this time, it does not appear the subjects arrested on warrants were related to the robbery.

Hoquiam Police are requesting anyone with information regarding this robbery contact Grays Harbor E911 Communications at 360-533-8765 for contact with an on-duty officer during the holiday weekend.

Tips can also be directed to Detective Ryan Pearson at 360-532-0892 x 102 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The suspect in this case should be considered armed and dangerous. The entire robbery lasted 62 seconds; the confrontation between the armed citizen and suspect was only five seconds. Given all that could have happened during this incident, we are thankful that no one was injured, however it is important this suspect be identified and taken off the street.