The Mercer Island Police Department is still on the lookout for two suspects after a they pulled a gun on a homeowner and tired to enter her house on Tuesday, July 26.
The case is related to another robbery on the Island where a house was ransacked and thieves beat the owner’s dog.Shortly before 5 p.m. on Tuesday two males knocked on the door of a house, located in the 8200 block of W. Mercer Way.
A woman answered the door, and the men said they were looking for landscaping work. The woman tried to close the door, but the men attempted to get through, pulling a gun, the woman told police. She was able to slam the door and call 911.
Shortly before the event occurred, a house in the 7700 block of W. Mercer Way was ransacked and a dog at the residence was beaten. The dog, described by Mercer Island Police Services Commander Leslie Burns, as about 25 pounds and a small Husky type dog, was taken to Alpine Animal Hospital in Issaquah.
Burns said the animal hospital was covering half the bill to take care of R’Tique and that officers at the station were taking a collection to help with the remainder of the bill.
A Mercer Island Police officer visited the dog Wednesday, and Burns said he told them that the veterinarian taking care of R’Tique said despite the early thought that he may lose an eye, after being examined by an eye specialist, they believe it can be saved. According to the email, there is the chance that if the eye is damaged enough it could develop glaucoma, at which point they would recommend it being removed. All in all, reports indicate that the dog is doing quite well.
Following the two events, a car was found at the 7700 block home, which was identified by the woman where the two men drew the gun, as the car they used. It was later discovered, according to Mercer Island Police, that the vehicle was stolen from Tukwila.
“We’re processing the evidence, they should be searching the car today,” said Burns on Thursday. “We have three people working on this full time. But we are still looking for the men.” She said as they are working to process evidence, and that it will take some time to get things like fingerprint information back, but that MIPD are hoping to work with other agencies to get it done faster.
The homeowners reported that a fire safe was taken from the house which was ransacked, and pried open. They reported a handgun and some jewelry to be missing. Burns it was not the same gun used in the other incident and that it was not known yet how much the items were worth.
If you have information please contact the Mercer Island Police Department via the dispatch center at 425-577-5656.
This story will be updated as it becomes available.
