CCSO provides a recap of the cases involved in this investigation

In April, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office released information on an investigation into multiple armed robberies that had occurred at knifepoint in Clark County. The CCSO Tactical Detective Unit (TDU) investigated these cases. An arrest has been made in these cases. Below is a recap of the cases involved in this investigation.

On April 8, a male entered the Starbucks inside the Safeway at 13023 NE Highway 99. The male approached the employees at the Starbucks and brandished a large knife. The male demanded the money in the cash register while displaying the knife. The employees provided him with the bills in the register and the male left on foot. The suspect was described as a white male with blue eyes wearing a black surgical-style mask over his face.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) investigated a similar robbery at the Target store on Mill Plain Blvd on April 9 with a male who also appeared to be similar.      

On April 11, another robbery with similar circumstances occurred at the same location. A male enters the Starbucks in the Safeway at 13023 NE Highway 99. The male approached the register and displayed a knife. The male held the knife above the counter and said, “Give me all the money in the till.” An associate at the store witnessed the robbery and attempted to intervene. The suspect grabbed them by the shoulders and pushed her to the ground. The witness hit their head on a metal rail when they were shoved to the ground by the suspect. Witnesses identified the person and the same suspect who robbed them a week prior.

Video surveillance from a nearby business showed the suspect left on foot and went directly behind the store. A short time later, a white 2003-2005 Honda Pilot is seen leaving the area of the adjoining property.  

A short time later, on April 11, Walgreens, located at 8511 NE 162nd Avenue, also reported a robbery at knifepoint. A male entered the store and walked up to the cash register. The male brandished a knife and demanded money from the register. The suspect’s description, including a black surgical-style mask, matched the previous robberies.

CCSO and VPD Detectives began sharing information and working on the cases jointly. Information about the suspect’s description and the white Honda Pilot SUV he was believed to be driving was provided to law enforcement in the region.

On May 24, a robbery at knifepoint occurred at the Walgreens located at 8511 NE 162nd Avenue. A male entered the store and approached the cash register. The male brandished a large kitchen knife and demanded the money in the cash register. The suspect’s description matched the previous robberies, and he was wearing a black surgical-style mask. A white 2003-2005 Honda Pilot similar to the one seen after the last robbery arrives before the robbery and leaves shortly after.

On June 14, Vancouver Police Officers were dispatched to multiple armed robberies. With the assistance of one of CCSO’s TDU detectives, officers located a suspect matching the description of the robber leaving the area driving a white Honda Pilot. The Honda Pilot was stopped, and the driver was detained. He was identified as Shawn Short, 56, of Vancouver.  

VPD booked Shawn Short into the Clark County Jail for two counts of Robbery in the First Degree charges on the two robberies in VPD’s jurisdiction that occurred the afternoon of June 14. 

The Honda Pilot was seized for a search warrant.  

On June 15, CCSO TDU Detectives charged Shawn Short with four additional counts of Robbery in the First Degree and one count of Assault in the Second Degree from the cases described above.

Although an arrest has been made on these cases, they are still active cases with additional investigative steps to be completed.  

Information provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.