PORT TOWNSEND — Police said Friday night they are seeking two masked men after an armed robbery Thursday of the Safeway grocery in which a bottle of liquor was stolen and the manager was threatened with a knife.
Two men in black clothing and masks entered the north doors of the store at 442 W. Sims Way in Port Townsend at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, police said.
A man wearing a fencing-style mask ran toward the produce department and checkout aisles causing what police said was later determined to be a diversion.
A group of employees confronted him and he ran back out the north door.
Another man, who was wearing a dark black mask pulled tight to his face, ran toward the liquor section of the business, stole a bottle of liquor and ran back toward the north door, police said.
The manager, a 46-year-old Port Townsend man who police did not identify, took a shopping cart and stood in front of the north door.
The man paced around the store then made a dash for the north door.
The manager placed the shopping cart in his way.
The man “brandished a knife in a threatening manner” as he crashed into the shopping cart, forcing his way past it and out the door as the manager backed away out of fear for his safety, police said.
The two fled north as officers entered the area.
Several officers entered the Kah Tai Lagoon Park.
Officer John Bick heard people crashing through the woods north of the apartment complex at 1235 Landes St., and was able to find a path leading into the woods.
The men are believed to have made it to 14th Street north, police said, adding that a passerby saw a person crossing north on 19th Street.
The investigation is ongoing. Police said they will release another update on Monday unless community safety concerns prompt an earlier update.
“The police are requesting the suspects surrender themselves to law enforcement to prevent further danger to the community,” the news release said.
Anyone with information about the incident or the identity of the two men is urged to call Detective Devin McBride at 360-390-4047 or the Port Townsend Police Department at 360-385-2322.
The men are considered armed and should not be approached or confronted, police said.
