How low can a thief go? Enough to rob 11-year-olds
SAMMAMISH, Wash. -- We're asking for your help to try to catch a thief so low, that he pulled a knife on a group of 11-year-old girls and robbed them.
For best friends Kelly, Claire and Briana, the day began with some newfound independence. For the first time, they had permission to walk to the local store together.
"I said, 'What's the scariest moment of your life?" said Claire Johnson, one of the victims. "I always jinx us. Then all three of us had the scariest moment of our lives."
The girls were rounding a corner on a trail in the Klahanie neighborhood on the Sammamish Plateau. As they approached a man stooped over tying his shoe, they stopped short.
He swung at them with a large knife and demanded money.
"He pulled the knife out of his pockets which were like that and he turned and was like, 'Give me the f'n money.' We were all really shocked and scared."
As soon as he had the cash, the guy just went running up the hill. The girls went the opposite direction.
They sprinted towards a nearby grocery store where they got help from an adult.
None of the girls was hurt. But they were terrified as the man wildly waved the knife.
"I thought he was going to stab me because he was (really close to me,)" Kelly said.
Briana Klee added "I looked around and was like I cannot believe this is actually happening. I could not ever imagine something like this would happen. Especially in a group of three."
That buddy system usually works, according to the King County Sheriff's Department.
The girls didn't get a good description of the man because he kept his face covered.
"I thought it was safe to send the kids out to go to the grocery store," said Heather Johnson, Claire's mother. "You know, you give 'em a couple bucks to go buy some candy. The biggest concern for me was crossing the street."
So they are warning other parents to keep close watch over their kids. These girls could've been hurt, over $27.
Anyone with tips is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Department.
For best friends Kelly, Claire and Briana, the day began with some newfound independence. For the first time, they had permission to walk to the local store together.
"I said, 'What's the scariest moment of your life?" said Claire Johnson, one of the victims. "I always jinx us. Then all three of us had the scariest moment of our lives."
The girls were rounding a corner on a trail in the Klahanie neighborhood on the Sammamish Plateau. As they approached a man stooped over tying his shoe, they stopped short.
He swung at them with a large knife and demanded money.
"He pulled the knife out of his pockets which were like that and he turned and was like, 'Give me the f'n money.' We were all really shocked and scared."
As soon as he had the cash, the guy just went running up the hill. The girls went the opposite direction.
They sprinted towards a nearby grocery store where they got help from an adult.
None of the girls was hurt. But they were terrified as the man wildly waved the knife.
"I thought he was going to stab me because he was (really close to me,)" Kelly said.
Briana Klee added "I looked around and was like I cannot believe this is actually happening. I could not ever imagine something like this would happen. Especially in a group of three."
That buddy system usually works, according to the King County Sheriff's Department.
The girls didn't get a good description of the man because he kept his face covered.
"I thought it was safe to send the kids out to go to the grocery store," said Heather Johnson, Claire's mother. "You know, you give 'em a couple bucks to go buy some candy. The biggest concern for me was crossing the street."
So they are warning other parents to keep close watch over their kids. These girls could've been hurt, over $27.
Anyone with tips is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Department.