The case against nine people accused of staging a robbery at a SeaTac restaurant is now in the hands of U.S. attorneys.
Deputies say employees and customers of Bob’s Burgers wanted to get special visas designed for victims of certain crimes. But the owner said she had no idea what was being planned.
This 99-page investigation, released Tuesday by the King County Sheriff’s Office, said one of the victims was holding the zip ties on her hands and money was left in plain view. Investigators said what they were being told about a robbery didn’t hold up.
Eventually deputies said they were told the robbery was a fraud to qualify for a U visa.
In a November 2019 news conference, Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht said the participants hoped to avoid deportation. U visas are available to crime victims who have suffered abuse and who assist law enforcement in solving the crime.
Because King County and Washington state have sanctuary status, deputies and other law enforcement officials do not ask about a person’s immigration status.
The owner of Bob’s Burgers, located at 20054 International Blvd., told KIRO 7 she did not know of the plan and that it was concocted by another employee.
Watch the Sheriff’s November briefing below.
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