Federal Way man pleads not guilty to string of 7-Eleven robberies

Published 6:46 pm Friday, January 23, 2015

A 21-year-old man from Federal Way pleaded not guilty on Jan. 12 to robbing at least three Federal Way businesses.

Valoaga Frankie Falaniko was charged on Jan. 8 with three counts of first-degree robbery and is being held on $500,000 bail at the Regional Justice Center in Kent.

Based on evidence and a Post-Miranda interview with Falaniko, detectives believe he is responsible for the recent 7-Eleven robberies in Federal Way and across the Puget Sound.

“Falaniko told detectives that he ‘robbed other 7-Elevens too,’” court documents state. “All the ones that was [sic] on Crime Stoppers.”

Detectives were able to match several pieces of clothing to those seen on video surveillance of various robberies, specifically, a two-tone black and grey Hollister jacket.

Federal Way police arrested Falaniko on Dec. 24 after a witness reported a robbery at the Stop In Grocery, located at 33320 Pacific Highway S. The man said the suspect approached the counter and “pistol whipped” him with a black semiautomatic handgun.

He stole $200 from the cash register, ran from the store and got into a silver 2002 Ford Explorer. But the witness ran after him and saw him turn into the Pinewood Village Apartments in Federal Way. He called police and described him as being a white male in his 20s with a partially covered face and wearing a white hoodie and gray pants.

Officers found the truck in the parking lot and found that it was registered to Falaniko and another woman. During this time, a detective identified Falaniko and he was arrested shortly after.

After a K9 search of the area, officers found a jacket, backpack and gloves that matched clothing the suspect was wearing during the robbery. The jacket also contained Falaniko’s identification.

Officers obtained a search warrant for Falaniko’s residence located in the 2000 block of S. 333rd St. in Federal Way and found $247 from the back left pocket of pants that were wet and covered in fresh dirt stains.

“During the search … detectives recovered a gray and black Hollister jacket similarly worn by a suspect in multiple armed robberies throughout Pierce and King counties,” the documents state. “It is believed that Falaniko is responsible for these robberies.”

Detectives also found three .22 caliber live cartridges from the truck’s driver’s side compartment and more identifying information.

In an interview with Falaniko’s landlords (he was renting a room in their basement), police discovered he would often complain of not having any money or a job but was able to provide them with hundreds of dollars on many occasions.

Additionally, Falaniko’s landlord reported several game consoles and a black Ruger SR handgun missing from two home burglaries that occurred Oct. 20 and Nov. 18. Police believe the stolen handgun description matches the gun Falaniko is alleged to have used in his armed robberies.

Falaniko is also charged with robbing a 7-Eleven, located at 4627 SW 320th St. in Federal Way on Nov. 26.

A store employee said a “black male” entered the store wearing a red ski mask, demanded money and then pulled back the slide on a black handgun and pointed the firearm at the employee’s face. He told him, “Give me all your money or I’ll shoot you,” court documents state. He took several $20 bills and fled toward Hoyt Road SW where a witness said he saw him get into an awaiting vehicle.

Prosecutors believe Falaniko is also responsible for a Dec. 17 robbery against a Shell Gas Station, located at 29625 Pacific Highway S. An employee was stocking merchandise when a man with a hoodie and covered face walked in and told him he was going to shoot him. After observing the gun, the employee removed cash from the register and placed it on the counter. After the suspect asked for more, he told the employee to get on the ground. The suspect, described as a Samoan male, 6-feet tall and between 160-180 pounds, fled with $300 in cash.

Police obtained video surveillance footage of the robbery and noted a “very distinct semiautomatic handgun” and a white SUV as the getaway vehicle.

Although Falaniko was not charged with these robberies, police say they have probable cause to believe he robbed a 7-Eleven, located at 104 SW 312th St., on Dec. 4 and Dec. 14 and a 7-Eleven, located at 32935 First Ave. S., on Dec. 7.

District court officials initially set Falaniko’s bail at $25,000 but it was changed to $100,000 once the state filed the case in Superior Court. However his bail was changed to $500,000 after he was implicated in other robberies and is suspected in committing over 15 robberies in the greater Seattle area.

Court documents state prosecutors are currently reserving filing for four additional counts of first-degree robbery that have been referred by police departments in the area.

As of Dec. 29, Falaniko has only been convicted of a DUI in 2013.