Man arrested for Blaine Rite Aid robbery

Blaine Police Department (BPD) officers arrested a Birch Bay resident for assault and robbery after he allegedly stole a bottle of alcohol from the Rite Aid drugstore on Boblett Street about 8 p.m. October 17. An employee was transported to hospital due to their injuries.

According to BPD sergeant Tim Richardson, the employee tried to stop a man, later identified as David Shawn Brink, from stealing a bottle of alcohol. Brink allegedly punched the employee several times in the face, causing head and facial injuries resulting in a large amount of blood being lost.

Blaine police arrived within about a minute of receiving the call but Brink had already fled. Blaine officers sent Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) a description of the suspect and his vehicle, who WCSO deputies tentatively identified the man as Brink.

WCSO sent bodycam footage of Brink, who was positively identified by employees and other witnesses as the suspect, according to BPD. A WCSO deputy subsequently located Brink’s van in Birch Bay and detained him before Blaine officers arrived.

According to BPD, Brink had blood on his hands, a jacket in his van matched surveillance footage and he confessed to stealing the alcohol and assaulting the employee.

Brink was booked into Whatcom County Jail for first-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault and third-degree theft, according to jail booking data. Bail has not yet been set and his preliminary appearance is scheduled for 3 p.m. on October 18.