CAPTURED: Northgate purse theft suspect posts photo flashing cash with #MYTEAMWINNING, say police
UPDATE -- Dionte McGrew was released from prison on December 26, 2019 and is currently on supervision with the Department of Corrections.
SEATTLE -- April 10, 2019
King County Prosecutors have charged 22-year-old Dionte Akhil McGrew with Theft in the first degree after Seattle Police say he stole a woman's purse at Northgate Mall on October 8, 2018 and took off running. Detectives say the purse contained $10,000 in cash the victim had withdrawn to pay for her daughter's tuition.
Seattle Police Robbery detectives say McGrew was identified thanks to anonymous Washington's Most Wanted viewer tips to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound from surveillance video. According to the charging documents, he posted a photo on his Facebook page an hour and a half after the purse theft with two friends flashing cash and #MYTEAMWINNING.
When questioned by police, court documents show McGrew told detectives that he used the stolen money to buy marijuana and food and described the theft as a 'bad choice." Investigators say he told them his original plan was to steal a tip jar in the food court. McGrew also claimed he got rid of the red sweatshirt seen on the surveillance video.
King County Prosecutors have also charged McGrew with Robbery in the 1st Degree after Seattle Police say he robbed a man at gunpoint on February 5th in the University District. Police say the victim was waiting for a friend outside 4106 Brooklyn Ave NE when McGrew approached him.
Seattle Police say surveillance image shows Dionte McGrew drawing handgun before robbery
Detectives say surveillance video shows McGrew drawing a handgun and pointing it at the victim and then stealing his wallet and cell phone. Responding officers located McGrew and a jacket that officers say he threw in the bushes as he fled from police. He was initially detained and then released. McGrew was later arrested on February 15th outside 11500 Pinehurst Wy NE once detectives completed the investigation. McGrew denied committing the crime even while viewing the surveillance images that police say shows him during the robbery.
His criminal history includes previous convictions for Residential Burglary and Theft in the 1st Degree.
McGrew is being held on $175,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 22nd.
He is WMW Capture #1079 thanks to tips from our viewers.
SEATTLE -- Seattle Police are asking for the public's help to identify three male purse-stealing suspects, including the thief in the red hoodie seen snatching a woman's Kate Spade purse right out of her hands at Northgate Mall on October 8th.
It had a significant amount of US currency in it because she had gone there to deposit cash in the bank for her daughter's tuition. It also contained a credit card, her ID and some Indonesian currency.
Unfortunately, the bank was closed when she got there so she was headed to the food court to get something to drink.
The thief in the red hoodie with they symbol of a crown on it is described as 18 to 21 years old with a thin build.
The video shows him on his phone stalking her through the mall before grabbing her purse and racing for the door. She chased after him. There was a getaway driver in a dark silver or gray sedan waiting outside.
The crook slipped down trying to jump in the back of the vehicle but the car slowed and they got away along with a 3rd suspect that you can see running from the mall as well who may have been acting as a lookout.
"I would say she was probably targeted so it's a very sad story. I just hate cases like this where they pick on defenseless woman, so do us a favor, watch the video, give us a call. We need these guys in custody," said Ret. Det. Myrle Carner with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.
The video is not clear enough to make out what kind of vehicle it is or the license plate so any help you can provide would be appreciated.
Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound will pay you a cash reward of up to $1,000 if you can identify the suspects, or have any information that helps solve the case.
Call 1-800-222-TIPS or use the P3 Tips App that you can download to your phone for free. It is anonymous. You will never be asked to give your name.
