Last Friday Pierce County Prosecutor Mark Lindquist charged Lee Allen Comenout Jr., 27, and Edward Amos Comenout, 25, with two counts of robbery in the first degree and one count of attempted robbery in the first degree. Edward Comenout was also charged with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.

According to witnesses, on June 15, the two men stole a light blue Ford F-150 at gunpoint in the 600 block of East Harrison Street in Tacoma. The owner’s son initially pursued the two, but stopped after the driver got out holding what appeared to be a handgun. Another witness reported the driver leaned out and pointed what appeared to be a handgun at her after she honked when the truck nearly struck her vehicle.

Shortly after that, Lakewood Police responded to Olympic Grocery at 129th and Bridgeport Way SW where a robbery was reported. One of the defendants reportedly jumped over the counter and took large amounts of cash and lottery tickets from the grocery. The defendants also took the cell phone and wallet of one of the witnesses. The defendants left in the blue Ford F-150.

The police pursued the truck, which eventually crashed into another vehicle. The passenger, Lee, tried to flee on foot, but was taken into custody by a K-9 officer. The driver, Edward, fled toward a gas station where he attempted to carjack a vehicle at the pumps. Officers arrived at the gas station, and seeing the defendant carrying a firearm, pinned him with their vehicle. Edward dropped the firearm and was taken into custody. He was transported to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He may lose the use of his legs.

Lee Comenout was arraigned today. The court set bail for Lee in the amount of $1,500,000. Edward Comenout remains hospitalized. The court issued a bench warrant for his arrest. Trial is scheduled for August 11, 2016.

Charges are only allegations and a person is presumed innocent unless he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.