Armed robbery suspect arrested after being chased from Bellingham store by clerk with bat

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Video surveillance camera images were shared by Bellingham Police Department (BPD) officials after a man was reported to have attempted to rob a business in the 4000 block of Meridian Street shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, April 23rd.

Approximate location of the attempted robbery

Surveillance video images shared by Bellingham Police following a reported armed robbery (April 23, 2024).
Surveillance video images shared by Bellingham Police following a reported armed robbery (April 23, 2024).
Surveillance video images shared by Bellingham Police following a reported armed robbery (April 23, 2024).

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in Whatcom County Superior Court by prosecutors, a store employee told police a man had entered the store wearing a sweatshirt with a hood that covered his face. He asked the clerk for a product sold only to adults and when asked for identification he said he didn’t have any. He then indicated he had a weapon and told the clerk to give him money.

Instead, the clerk grabbed a baseball bat and chased the man into the parking lot. The would-be robber fled toward his pickup truck, turned and faced the clerk, and removed a black object from behind his back and held it in both hands with arms outstretched. The clerk believed he was pointing a gun and returned to the business and locked the door.

A description of the man and the pickup truck was broadcast among local law enforcement.

About 5:30pm, deputies with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office location the vehicle and suspect and took him into custody. While admitting to having been chased out of the business and leaving in his truck, the man, identified as Jesse Joseph Moon, age 32, said he had not robbed anyone nor possessed a firearm.

Moon currently faces a felony charge of 1st-degree robbery while displaying a firearm. He also faces a 3rd-degree theft charge in Whatcom County District Court from another incident.

As of May 1st, he remained in custody at the Whatcom County Jail pending being able to post a $50,000 bond or $5,000 cash bail.

Moon has prior felony convictions from 2023 in Skagit County Superior Court for 3rd-degree assault, reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm or weapon in a public place.