Bellingham police seeking suspect in Sehome Arboretum attempted strong-arm robbery
Bellingham police are searching for a white man with brown hair and a red bandana who reportedly assaulted and attempted to rob a 71-year-old man at the Sehome Arboretum Wednesday morning.
A Western Washington University crime notice alert was sent to students and staff Feb. 26, saying that at approximately 8:15 a.m., police were sent to the report of an attempted strong-arm robbery and assault at the Arboretum.
Officers spoke with the man who reported that he had been walking in the wooded area at the top of the arboretum when the suspect approached and demanded his money, according to the WWU alert. The victim refused, and the suspect responded by throwing rocks at him, striking the victim in the head.
Paramedics tended to the victim, and a search of the arboretum failed to locate the suspect, the alert said.
This story will be updated.
