SEATTLE — Police here are searching for a man suspected in an armed robbery of a Rite-Aid pharmacy in West Seattle on Friday night.

Investigators said the situation began when an armed man robbed the pharmacy at California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Dawson around 9 p.m.

A witness said the man then ran out of the store, fled across the street and went into a neighboring apartment complex.

Officers shut down several neighboring blocks and began combing the area. They also evacuated the complex, and brought in a Metro Transit bus to help keep those residents warm.

Police searched the complex, but did not find the suspect. They took several people in for questioning, but said they do not have a suspect in custody.

Around 11 p.m., police reopened the streets and allowed residents back into their homes.

A description of the suspect was not available.

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Here’s what I saw: A cop car pulled into the back alley, and shone his spot light into the windows of the two apartment buildings (my apartment included). One cop stood by the car while the other with raised shotgun walked to the other building (which is the one I think that they evacuated). I couldn’t see much from my apartment, but I was doing laundry at the time and walked to the front of the building where I could see a K9 unit and SWAT team van. Later police helicopters made a few passes. Unfortunately I didn’t see any action, although that would have been pretty cool.