Pepper Spray Sent Criminal Running in Seattle Mugging

Late in the evening (after 11 pm) in downtown Seattle, two women were walking on First Avenue when they were attacked by a mugger. As they passed a man on the 2200 block of First Avenue, one woman was knocked to the ground. The man then attempted to steal her purse.

Security personnel from an adjacent nightclub witnessed the attack. The security personnel used pepper spray to subdue the man, who walked away from the incident. Another witness followed the man until the police arrived and arrested him.

The man was booked into King County Jail on charges of robbery and assault. The woman went to Harborview Medical Center to be evaluated medically.

This disturbing incident could easily have escalated if it were not for the timely intervention of the security personnel and other passers-by. If the man had gone unchecked, perhaps he would have inflicted greater wounds or gone beyond petty theft. If the intervention had involved guns or knives any number of people (mugger, victim, defender etc.) could have been injured, perhaps seriously.

Instead, the incident was handled quickly and decisively with the help of pepper spray. It was to the advantage of the security personnel from the nightclub to intervene and prevent serious injury that could affect public perception of the safety they could expect in that area of town. Carrying pepper spray allowed them to safely intervene in a dangerous situation and protect both the safety of walkers in the area and their business concerns.