Edmonds resident David Kaufer shares his account of how a simple stop to pick up pizza at the local Romio’s on Edmonds Way Monday night turned into a front-row seat for some exciting police action. My Edmonds News is following up with Edmonds police to get the details on the police action.

I pulled into the parking lot (as I have dozens of times before) and pulled into an empty spot right in front of the restaurant. As I entered Romio;s, I heard sirens approaching but didn’t think much of it as the restaurant is located on a busy street and highway. I knew I was too early for the pizza but I strolled to the counter to let them know I was there and would hang out until it came out. The woman at the counter mentioned that something big must be happening in the parking lot and I turned around to check it out.

I suddenly noticed three Edmonds police cars parked at angles facing a Honda Sedan that was stopped in the middle of the lot. Officers emerged from each police car with guns drawn so I bolted to the other side of the restaurant. One of the Romio’s employees scrambled to shut the front doors and joined me at the side of the restaurant that seemed (somewhat) safer.

It was a very intense scene; there was no movement for a minute or two and slowly the driver emerged (young, Caucasian male) and he was ordered to put his hands up and kneel on the ground. He complied and was quickly led away and placed into custody in one of the patrol cars. As the scene continued, more police cars showed up; eventually seven total were in the parking lot.

The standoff continued and slowly more suspects emerged; they were all young Caucasian men who looked to be in their early 20’s. Each was ordered to raise his hands and slowly step away from the vehicle (guns were drawn the entire time) and kneel on the ground until they could be placed under arrest. Four were eventually arrested.