Suspect allegedly apologized to, thanked clerk during Kennewick robbery

The suspect in three Kennewick robberies allegedly expressed remorse to a clerk before ordering the woman to open the register and hand over all of the cash.

Lawrence L.W. Butt, 31, pocketed about $30 in that late-night robbery of a Circle K store, according to prosecutors.

Butt faces a Sept. 25 trial in Benton County Superior Court for first-degree robbery.

Even though police named Butt in three separate incidents, Deputy Prosecutor Terry Bloor said as of now the suspect only is charged with one count.

Butt was arrested Wednesday after investigators received a tip linking him to the robberies and tracked him to a house in Walla Walla.

Butt allegedly went into USA Gasoline at Clearwater Avenue and Edison Street at 2 a.m. July 20 and threatened an employee with a knife. The clerk handed over an undisclosed amount of money, then the robber ran out, Kennewick police said.

Then at 11:50 p.m. on July 29, Butt walked into the Circle K at 6006 W. Clearwater Ave. and said to the clerk, “I hate to do this to you, but can you open the drawer?” according to court documents.

Butt then pulled out a hammer and placed it on the counter, as the clerk emptied the drawer of all cash, documents said.

With the money in hand, he allegedly thanked the clerk and left.

Police used a previous booking photo of Butt to compare to security camera footage from the Circle K, documents said. He reportedly was identified by a former acquaintance.

The suspect also is accused of robbing the Shell Station on First Avenue this past Tuesday afternoon.

Butt is in the Benton County jail on $50,000 bail. If he posts bond, he is allowed to travel throughout Washington state while awaiting trial.

This story was originally published August 4, 2017 at 5:19 PM with the headline "Suspect allegedly apologized to, thanked clerk during Kennewick robbery."