Machete-robbers arrested

SELAH -- Three suspected robbers didn't stand much of a chance against a mass of man power and artillery in Selah. A trio of law enforcement agencies surrounded a house on Wenas Avenue, knowing the bandits were inside.

The commotion in Selah started here in Union gap when two machete-wielding robbers tried to knock over Coco's. What the crooks didn't plan on was the clerk pulling a gun.

"It's always dangerous anytime you have somebody that's got a weapon. But evidently he felt he was in a good enough position," explained Union Gap Police Sgt. Larry Worden.

The clerk held one of the suspects until police arrived. And it didn't take long to find the rest of the suspect thieves and their hide out.

Yakima Police Capt. Jeff Schneider was on the scene. "One male was arrested there. They obtained information that others involved in the robbery and possibly involved in the other robberies that have been occurring in the Yakima area were at this house."

With a string of unresolved knife-point robberies in Yakima, police think they've solved at least a few of these cases.

"It looks like the info we have is that all four of them have been involved in one way or another in a string of robberies that have been going on," Capt. Schneider said.

Whether or not these crooks have been sticking up stores all over Yakima remains to be seen. Right now though, they will face charges for this latest knife-point knock-over at the very least.

"The three subjects are being held pending formal charges. They're still under investigation, but we expect formal charges for our Union Gap case shortly," said Sgt. Worden.

Even though this string of robberies never got the chance to escalate into violence, this morning's show of force is a clear indication cops weren't sure if someone in the house might try to use a two-foot machete on one of them.

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