Federal Way police Chief Andy Hwang presented Deok Jeong with the Police Chief’s Commendation on Tuesday for setting aside his own personal safety to assist the police department in apprehending a violent robbery suspect, known as the bundled-up bandit.

On Dec. 24, 2014 at approximately 11:56 a.m., officers were dispatched to an armed robbery call at the Stop-in-Grocery, located at South 333rd and Pacific Hwy South. Jeong had called 911 to report he was robbed at gunpoint while working at the store. During the robbery, the suspect struck Jeong in the head with a pistol.

After being assaulted and watching the violent suspect run from his store, Jeong made a conscious decision that would later result in the solving of almost 20 violent robberies in King and Pierce counties, said Hwang during the Council meeting on Tuesday.

“Instead of waiting for police arrival, Mr. Jeong followed the suspect as he ran down the street and into his car,” Hwang said. “Mr. Jeong’s actions of obtaining the vehicle license plate gave us the break we needed to bring to an end a of series of robberies that were plaguing our region.”

Police located the suspect a short time later near his residence and arrested him after an area search and a K-9 track.

The suspect, Valoaga Frankie Falaniko, a 21-year-old Federal Way resident, was charged with first-degree robbery on Dec. 29 and held on $100,000 bail for the robbery committed on Dec. 24. Federal Way police in conjunction with Des Moines police have filed an additional seven counts of robbery.

Police believe Falaniko is responsible for 20 robberies in King and Pierce Counties. The remaining jurisdictions are still concluding their investigations.

Hwang said Jeong placed himself in harm’s way in an effort to stop a violent criminal from reoffending. Since this incident, there have been no other similar robberies in the region, Hwang noted.

“The actions of Mr. Jeong should be commended as it resulted in the closure of several open robbery cases in multiple jurisdictions,” Hwang said. “Without the courageous actions of Mr. Jeong, the suspect would have continued on his crime spree endangering the lives of others in our community. For his actions and going far beyond what is expected of our citizens, I am presenting Mr. Jeong with a Police Chief’s Commendation.”