ROYAL CITY, Washington (STPNS) -- The Lep-Re-Kon Harvest grocery store in Mattawa was robbed by three gunmen wearing plaid flannel jackets and bandanas last Friday.

Store employees called 911 about 10:17, according to police reports, and told police all three of the males displayed handguns and demanded money from the cashiers.

They then fled the store on foot after obtaining a substantial amount of cash and box of Marlboro cigarettes.  

According to acting chief Steve Jensen, a K-9 unit responded from Othello, and Grant County Fire District #8 also provided the use of a thermal imager to track the subject. Police were able to track the subjects south of the store.



According to the police report, the subjects were tracked by the K-9 unit to the edge of an orchard.

Unlike the other armed robberies that have occurred in the area, witnesses advised they thought they knew who two of the three suspects were.

Jensen said that although police have those names, they are not releasing them until more information is verified.