Sleeping toddler rescued during Auburn apartment standoff with Kent espresso stand robbery suspect

A 50-year-old man was arrested in Auburn on November 16, 2025, after robbing a Kent espresso stand at gunpoint. The incident began when he demanded cash from a female employee, brandishing a black handgun. Police tracked his vehicle to an apartment complex in Auburn, where he hid inside a neighboring unit. Officers evacuated multiple residents and attempted to de-escalate the situation, as a toddler was accidentally left behind. They managed to retrieve the child safely and convinced the suspect to surrender while holding a knife to his throat.

The man was later booked on suspicion of first-degree robbery, and no injuries occurred during the standoff. The incident highlighted the importance of coordination between Kent and Auburn police. Authorities expressed gratitude for the technology and training that facilitated a swift response.