Victim speaks out following ATM robberies in Kirkland

KIRKLAND -- New video was released Thursday of an armed robber who hit two different bank ATM’s in Kirkland last Tuesday. One of his victims spoke only to Q13 FOX News about the terrifying moment when she felt a knife to her back.

The victim did not want to be identified but she is still shaken up.

She says it doesn’t matter how well lit it or what neighborhood you are in, an ATM robbery can happen anywhere.

Around midnight on Dec. 3, a man walked up behind a woman at a BECU ATM and ordered her to withdraw cash. The woman was so scared she struggled with the buttons for about a minute. That was too long for the robber who took off with no money. The woman never got a look at the robber but his next victim did.

“All of a sudden I felt something in my back and I heard a male voice say don’t,” said the victim.

The same guy on the same day wearing the same clothes tried again. This time at the US Bank ATM on 100th Ave Ne in Kirkland.

“I was terrified. I said, 'No, I just didn’t want to be a victim.'”

So she turned around and screamed at the top of her lungs.

“I kept screaming and yelling just to scare him off or just to get somebody nearby to help me.”

All she saw was the 3-inch knife and, at that moment, she believed the robber was going to use it.

“I got frightened and my asthma got triggered by it.”

Her screams worked - the man took off on foot. Police say K9’s tracked his scent to the parking lot of Juanita Elementary where his car could have been parked.

“I hope these two incidents where he didn’t get any money wakes him up you know he is risking it.”

Although she was not hurt, this terrifying incident has changed her life.

“I didn’t want to live life in a fearful manner but things change.”

Her sense of security was robbed and now she doesn’t even feel safe in her own home.

“Sometimes I have to sleep with the bathroom lights and hallway on it helps with the nightmares.”

It gets dark early now and of course you the holiday season is just around the corner so police are anticipating more ATM robberies. Try to avoid ATM machines after hours. If you have no choice bring someone with you.

Anyone with information on the attempted robber is asked to call the Kirkland Police Department Tip Line at (425) 587-3515