Tacoma man faces charge in alleged coin shop robbery

After allegedly holding up a local coin store Monday, a Tacoma man faces a robbery charge. A first-degree robbery charge was filed against Gary Richard Jakuab, 62, on Tuesday in Kitsap County District Court.

After allegedly holding up a local coin store Monday, a Tacoma man faces a robbery charge.

A first-degree robbery charge was filed against Gary Richard Jakuab, 62, on Tuesday in Kitsap County District Court.

If convicted, Jakuab could face life in prison.

According to charging papers, Jakuab went into Key Coin, located on Frederick Avenue, to buy some gold coins. Store owner Michael Penland told investigators he took Jakuab to a neighboring stop because he did not have any gold coins. The owner said Jakuab returned to the store and wanted to look at some coins and loose gold.

Penland presented a book containing several Morgan silver dollars. Jakuab was looking at the book, he saw Jakuab remove one of the coins and placed it in his pocket. Shortly afterward, Penland said he saw the man open a vial and dump some loose gold fragments into his left front pocket.

Court documents stated Penland confronted Jakuab, who ran out the shop. Penland ran after Jakuab, caught up with him and both men stumbled to the ground. Jakuab got to his feet and pulled out a knife. Penland, with help from his daughter, Traci, tackled Jakuab near the Port Orchard Pavilion. During the struggle, Terri Strick arrived at the scene and called 911 to alert Port Orchard police about the incident.

Port Orchard resident Don Bravo was at the Port Orchard Ferry Dock when he heard someone scream, “A man has a knife.”

“I ran across the parking lot and saw an older gentleman wrestling with a guy with a knife in his hand,” said the 32-year-old Port Orchard resident. “I got the knife away from the guy and dropped it to the ground.”

Bravo assisted in pinning Jakuab to the ground.

“The young man did the right thing in helping subdue the man,” Commander Dale Schuster said.

Tonya Baker, who works at the pet grooming shop near Key Coin, said she saw Penland run after the robber westbound on Frederick, then eastbound.

“He was yelling at him to stop,” Baker said.

As the two chase Jakuab, Baker said she came outside and saw Jakuab with a knife in his hand.

The elderly Penland suffered a minor cut on his finger, but cause of the injury is uncertain.

Police arrived at the scene and placed the man in custody. He was treated for minor injuries by South Kitsap Fire and Rescue personnel before being transported to Kitsap County Jail.

 

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