Accused 'Sweatpants Robber' In Custody: Bellevue Police

Bellevue WA

04 November, 2021

5:21 PM

Description

BELLEVUE, WA — Bellevue detectives have arrested a man accused in a prolific series of robberies in late October, with crimes spanning several Eastside cities. In a news release Thursday, the Bellevue Police Department identified the man accused in at least eight robberies and one attempted robbery as Antonio Aaron, 58. Deemed the "sweatpants robber" by police, officials allege Aaron wore sweats and slippers during several of the robberies and threatened to harm clerks if they did not comply. Detectives say he robbed a Key Bank, Residence Inn and Hampton Inn in Bellevue, and attempted to rob the Silver Cloud. He is also accused of robberies in Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond and Bothell, police said. All but one of the robberies were reported between Oct. 21 and Oct. 29. Detectives arrested Aaron on Oct. 30. "This was a very dangerous situation," said Bellevue police captain Joe Nault. "The suspect approached the clerks, indicated he had a gun under his shirt, and threatened to kill them if they didn't hand over the cash. While he never brandished a weapon, we feared his behavior could escalate as the robbers were becoming increasingly more frequent." Police said King County prosecutors have filed robbery charges in the case and Aaron remains jailed on $200,000 bail.