Wal-Mart Suspects May Be Connected To Violent Takeover Robberies

Police sources tell KIRO 7 the suspects in a deadly armored car robbery at a Lakewood Wal-Mart on Tuesday may be connected to a series of violent takeover robberies in the south sound, including a shooting at Oh! Gallagher’s Pub in Lakewood on November 14, 2008.

Detectives close to the investigation, asking to remain anonymous, said the alleged gunman in murder of 39-year- old Kurt Husted bears a striking resemblance to a composite sketch released following the Oh! Gallagher’s robbery.

VIDEO: Wal-Mart Suspects Connected To Other Cases?

In that robbery, team of gunmen held customers in the business hostage at gunpoint while robbing the bar. Surveillance video obtained by KIRO TV shortly after the robbery showed the men threatening customers and employees.

VIDEO: Brazen Takeover Robbery Caught On Tape

A man walking into the pub was shot in the head as the robbers walked out He survived the shooting with a minor wound to the head.

A source tells KIRO the manner and aggressiveness of the Wal-Mart robbery is similar to the Oh! Gallagher’s hold up and other robberies that remain unsolved.

Walmart Finley and Composite sketch 6-4 Police released a composite sketch, seen left, following the Oh! Gallagher’s robbery last November. At right, Calvin Finley, the accused gunman in the Wal-Mart robbery June 2. /2009/0604/19658665.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_80X45.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_120X67.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_200X112.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_60X33.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_320X180.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_90X50.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_400X225.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_40X22.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_480X271.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_240X135.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_180X101.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_300X169.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_640X361.jpg /2009/0604/19658665_160X90.jpg

Lakewood police Lt. Heidi Hoffman would not confirm a connection between the Wal-Mart robbery and the Oh! Gallagher’s robbery, but said her department is reviewing all unsolved robberies to determine if the suspects now in custody were involved.

No suspects have been arrested in the Oh! Gallagher's case, or several other takeover robberies of businesses around the Puget Sound area believed to be the work of the same team of robbers, including:

Dollar Store, Silverdale, Apr. 16, 2008 Auto Zone, Tacoma, July 29, 2008 Great Clips, Port Orchard, Sept. 22, 2008 Auto Zone, Bremerton, Sept. 27, 2008 Oh! Gallagher’s Pub, Lakewood, Nov. 14, 2008 Arco/AM/PM, Fife, Dec. 11, 2008 Auto Zone, Lakewood, Dec. 13, 2008 Subway, Olympia, Jan. 30, 2009 Shucks Auto Supply, Kent, Feb. 28, 2009 Kentucky Fried Chicken, Shelton, Feb. 3, 2009 Auto Zone, Edgewood, Feb. 4, 2009

Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County is offering a reward of up to $1000 for information leading to the arrest of suspects.

Previous Stories: April 15, 2009: Reward Offered In Series Of Takeover Robberies November 21, 2008: Police Hope Video Helps Find Takeover Robbers

Previous Stories: June 4, 2009: All 4 Suspects In Wal-Mart Shootings Jailed June 4, 2009: Police: 'Main Players' In Wal-Mart Shooting Arrested June 3, 2009: 'In 4 Seconds Someone Died And I Got Shot,' Survivor Says June 3, 2009: Police: Wal-Mart Robbery Likely An Inside Job June 3, 2009: Wal-Mart Shooting Suspect In Custody June 3, 2009: 3 In Custody, 2 Still Sought In Deadly Wal-Mart Shooting