UPDATE: A Mexican national has been charged in connection with a series of armed robberies that terrorized western Washington in August 2023. Edgar Oswaldo Gonzalez Barragan, 32, faces multiple charges including robbery and attempted robbery after allegedly targeting three tribal casinos and a bank branch in Shoreline.
The Kent Police Department arrested Gonzalez Barragan just hours after he allegedly held up the U.S. Bank branch in Shoreline on August 11. Witnesses reported that he brandished a silver handgun during the robbery, forcing the teller to hand over cash. The robbery unfolded in a matter of minutes, creating panic among employees and customers.
On August 1, Gonzalez Barragan reportedly attempted to rob the Tulalip Quil Creek Casino, where he threatened guests while demanding money from the cashier. The quick-thinking cashier activated a panic button, prompting him to flee the scene. Just two days later, he struck again at the Silver Reef Casino on the Lummi Nation Indian Reservation, using the same silver handgun to demand cash before escaping on foot.
The situation escalated when Gonzalez Barragan attempted yet another robbery at the Little Creek Casino on August 9. He reportedly pulled out a gun and demanded cash, but when the teller informed him there was none available, he fled without any money.
In a surprising twist, later that same day, the Riverside Fire Authority reported the theft of a $12,000 “Jaws of Life” tool from one of its fire trucks. Surveillance footage helped law enforcement link Gonzalez Barragan to this crime, leading to his identification as the prime suspect.
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, have been collaborating on this case. “Cell phone location data and other evidence place Gonzalez Barragan in the vicinity of all the robberies and attempted robberies,” stated the King County Prosecutor’s Office in a press release.
Gonzalez Barragan’s arrest on August 11 was swift; officers apprehended him while he wore the same clothing as during the bank robbery.
This series of violent crimes has left local communities on edge, prompting increased security measures at tribal casinos and banks across the region. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.
As this case develops, it highlights the growing concerns regarding safety in public spaces, particularly in areas frequented by families and visitors. The community is now left to grapple with the implications of these alarming events.
Stay tuned for more updates as law enforcement continues to investigate this troubling series of incidents.
