Suspect Arrested-CCSO Investigating Multiple Armed Robberies From Businesses (Photo) - 06/19/24

Back in April, we released information on an investigation into multiple armed robberies that had occurred at knifepoint in Clark County. The Clark County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Tactical Detective Unit (TDU) investigated these cases. An arrest has been made in these cases. Below is a recap of the cases involved in this investigation.

On 4/8/24, a male entered the Starbucks inside the Safeway at 13023 NE Highway 99. The male approached the employees at the Starbucks and brandished a large knife. The male demanded the money in the cash register while displaying the knife. The employees provided him with the bills in the register and the male left on foot. The suspect was described as a white male with blue eyes wearing a black surgical-style mask over his face.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) investigated a similar robbery at the Target store on Mill Plain Blvd on 4/9/2024 with a male who also appeared to be similar.      

On 4/11/24, another robbery with similar circumstances occurred at the same location. A male enters the Starbucks in the Safeway at 13023 NE Highway 99. The male approached the register and displayed a knife. The male held the knife above the counter and said, “Give me all the money in the till.” An associate at the store witnessed the robbery and attempted to intervene. The suspect grabbed them by the shoulders and pushed her to the ground. The witness hit their head on a metal rail when they were shoved to the ground by the suspect. Witnesses identified the person and the same suspect who robbed them a week prior.

Video surveillance from a nearby business showed the suspect left on foot and went directly behind the store. A short time later, a white 2003-2005 Honda Pilot is seen leaving the area of the adjoining property.  

A short time later, on 4/11/24, Walgreens, located at 8511 NE 162nd Avenue, also reported a robbery at knifepoint. A male entered the store and walked up to the cash register. The male brandished a knife and demanded money from the register. The suspect’s description, including a black surgical-style mask, matched the previous robberies.

CCSO and VPD Detectives began sharing information and working on the cases jointly. Information about the suspect’s description and the white Honda Pilot SUV he was believed to be driving was provided to law enforcement in the region.

On 5/24/24, a robbery at knifepoint occurred at the Walgreens located at 8511 NE 162nd Avenue. A male entered the store and approached the cash register. The male brandished a large kitchen knife and demanded the money in the cash register. The suspect’s description matched the previous robberies, and he was wearing a black surgical-style mask. A white 2003-2005 Honda Pilot similar to the one seen after the last robbery arrives before the robbery and leaves shortly after.

On 6/14/24, Vancouver Police Officers were dispatched to multiple armed robberies. With the assistance of one of CCSO's TDU detectives, officers located a suspect matching the description of the robber leaving the area driving a white Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot was stopped, and the driver was detained. He was identified as Shawn Short, 56, of Vancouver, WA.  

VPD booked Shawn Short into the Clark County Jail for two counts of Robbery in the First Degree charges on the two robberies in VPD's jurisdiction that occurred the afternoon of 6/14/24. 

The Honda Pilot was seized for a search warrant.  

On 6/15/24, CCSO TDU Detectives charged Shawn Short with four additional counts of Robbery in the First Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree from the cases described above.

Although an arrest has been made on these cases, they are still active cases with additional investigative steps to be completed.  

Additional information will not be released at this time.  

On 04/11/24, at approximately 12:33, an unknown suspect committed an armed robbery of the Starbucks located within the Safeway at 13023 NE Highway 99. The suspect was described as a white male in his forties, over six feet tall, and around 200 pounds. He wore a light blue hoodie with black writing, dark blue sweatpants, black shoes, a black stocking cap, and a black COVID-style mask. The suspect was armed with a long knife similar to a fillet or long paring knife.

The suspect fled the scene on foot and possibly got into a vehicle a short distance away.

An employee of Safeway was knocked to the ground by the suspect as the suspect fled. The employee was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation. 

Deputies conducted a K9 and unmanned aircraft system search for the suspect, and there was a heavy police presence in the area during that time.

At 14:18 hours, the Walgreens at 8511 NE 162nd Avenue was also robbed at knifepoint by a suspect matching the same description. Again, the suspect fled the scene on foot and possibly got into a vehicle a short distance away.

The area around Walgreens was searched, but the suspect was not located. A heavy police presence was in the area during that time.

The suspect in today’s robbery matches the physical description and nature of a robbery at the same Safeway on 4/8/24. 

In the robbery on 4/8/24, the suspect was described as a white male, approximately 6-00 tall, medium build, wearing a dark-colored sweater, sweatpants, a black COVID-style mask, and a gray beanie.

These incidents are being actively investigated. No photos are available at this time. This release will be updated if more information becomes available.