SEATTLE — A 16-year-old was in juvenile court Wednesday after police said he and three other teens were involved in dozens of violent robberies throughout Seattle and King County.
"Creates a substantial risk to the community safety. Therefore, secured detention," said a King County judge siding with the state to keep this teen in custody as the case moves forward.
Police said he and three other teens could be responsible for 78 violent robberies throughout King County in a month-long crime spree.
"I'm aware that there are allegations of a substantial number of possible cases,” the King County judge said. “Those aren't in front of me right now, so I'm trying confine my ruling to the facts that re in front of me right now."
KING 5 is not identifying the teen because he's underage. Prosecutors charged him with two counts of robbery in the first degree and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree. Charging documents said the teen was involved in an armed robbery at a Circle K near the Seattle University campus on Oct. 4.
Surveillance pictures show the suspect wearing a black face mask and pointing a gun with an extended magazine at several customers, stealing two wallets and $100 from the register.
Four days later, police coordinated a sting operation, arresting the 16-year-old and the three other teens, including 18-year-old John Bailey-Johnson, who is currently held on $350,000 bail.
The Seattle Police Department held a press conference Oct. 11, just a day after the arrests.
"This is not like a kid playing cops and robbers," said Sue Rahr, Seattle police interim chief. "These kids are very, very dangerous."
The state plans on filing more charges against the four teens. Bailey-Johnson and the 15-year-old are in custody. As for the other 16-year-old, the county's prosecuting office said he's been identified but has not been booked.