Man attacked by machete-wielding thieves

By MARLEE GINTER
KOMO-TV STAFF

Police are trying to track down four machete-wielding thieves who robbed a man in broad daylight near a school.

The incident took place at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday near Mountlake Terrace High School.

Police say the thieves hid in the bushes along 44th Ave. W., then attacked the man while he was walking home from a store. One of the attackers was armed with a machete, investigators said.

"I don't know if it's a convenience sake of having a weapon, or if it's an intimidation factor because it is large," said Det. Sgt. Doug Hansen. "Sometimes it's used as an intimidation factor. Anytime a weapon is used, we have grave concern."

The men ordered the victim to empty his pockets. When he failed to comply, they got rough, police said.

"Punched him in the jaw, in the head. He fell, phone came out of his pocket. They grabbed his phone and kept on running. He had to walk some distance to his home before he could call us," said Hansen.

Area residents were shaken by the attack on a high-traffic road that many joggers, walkers and bicyclists frequent.

"We run through here on our lunch time, and it seems pretty safe here. And we see other people running, too. It kind of surprises me," said jogger Michael Hequibal.

School officials at the high school say they haven't had any problems, but police advise caution in the area.

Someone later found the victim's cell phone and turned it in to police.

Anyone with information on the Saturday robbery is urged to contact police immediately.

The incident took place at approximately 6:30 p.m. Saturday near Mountlake Terrace High School.

Police say the thieves hid in the bushes along 44th Ave. W., then attacked the man while he was walking home from a store. One of the attackers was armed with a machete, investigators said.

"I don't know if it's a convenience sake of having a weapon, or if it's an intimidation factor because it is large," said Det. Sgt. Doug Hansen. "Sometimes it's used as an intimidation factor. Anytime a weapon is used, we have grave concern."

The men ordered the victim to empty his pockets. When he failed to comply, they got rough, police said.

"Punched him in the jaw, in the head. He fell, phone came out of his pocket. They grabbed his phone and kept on running. He had to walk some distance to his home before he could call us," said Hansen.

Area residents were shaken by the attack on a high-traffic road that many joggers, walkers and bicyclists frequent.

"We run through here on our lunch time, and it seems pretty safe here. And we see other people running, too. It kind of surprises me," said jogger Michael Hequibal.

School officials at the high school say they haven't had any problems, but police advise caution in the area.

Someone later found the victim's cell phone and turned it in to police.

Anyone with information on the Saturday robbery is urged to contact police immediately.