URGENT UPDATE: A Mexican national has been charged in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting tribal casinos and banks in western Washington this past August. Edgar Oswaldo Gonzalez Barragan, 32, was arrested by Kent Police Department shortly after allegedly robbing a U.S. Bank branch in Shoreline.
Authorities report that Gonzalez Barragan’s crime spree began on August 1 at the Tulalip Quil Creek Casino, where he brandished a silver handgun and demanded cash. The cashier pressed a panic button, refusing to comply with his threats to shoot guests, and he fled the scene empty-handed.
Just two days later, he struck again at the Silver Reef Casino on the Lummi Nation Indian Reservation in Ferndale, using the same method to demand cash. Surveillance footage confirmed his involvement, leading police to identify him as the suspect.
On August 9, Gonzalez Barragan attempted to rob the Little Creek Casino on Squaxin Island Tribal land in Shelton. He brandished a gun, but when the teller informed him there was no cash available, he fled. Later that same day, a separate investigation revealed that a $12,000 “Jaws of Life” tool was stolen from a Riverside fire truck, with law enforcement linking the theft to Gonzalez Barragan.
The escalating situation culminated on August 11, when he entered the U.S. Bank branch in Shoreline, demanding money while causing alarm among staff. The teller, fearing for safety, complied and handed over cash before he fled. He was apprehended the same day; notably, he was wearing the same clothing as during the bank heist.
According to the attorney’s office, “Cell phone location data and other evidence place Gonzalez Barragan in the vicinity of all the robberies and attempted robberies.” The FBI is now investigating the case, receiving support from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Marysville Police Department, King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security.
As details continue to emerge, the community is on high alert, with officials urging increased vigilance in the wake of these violent crimes. Law enforcement remains focused on ensuring public safety and resolving the ongoing investigation.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
