AUBURN, Wash. — A grocery store robbery in Auburn escalated into a police pursuit and multiple arrests Tuesday afternoon, with authorities recovering illegally modified firearms from a teenage suspect.
The incident began around 4 p.m. when police responded to a report of an armed shoplifting at the Haggen grocery store. A store employee told officers that the suspect displayed a firearm during the confrontation.
The suspect fled the scene in a blue Audi A4, which was quickly located by law enforcement using traffic surveillance systems. Officers attempted a traffic stop near Lakeland Hills Way Southeast, but the vehicle refused to pull over.
A brief pursuit ended when officers executed a PIT maneuver to stop the fleeing car. Inside were three teenage boys, an adult woman, and a child.
All four individuals were taken into custody. During the arrest, police discovered that one of the juveniles was carrying three handguns. Investigators say one of the weapons had been reported stolen, and all three had been illegally altered with switches to function as fully automatic weapons. Each was fitted with extended magazines.
Also Read – How to File a Claim for Walgreens $100M Settlement Before Thursday Deadline
The suspects now face multiple charges, including first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen firearm.
The teens were transported to Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center in Tacoma, while the woman was booked into the Pierce County Jail. The child passenger was released safely into the care of a family member.
According to Auburn police, officers were unaware a child was inside the vehicle when the pursuit tactic was carried out. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
