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Pepper spray robbery at Steamworks bathhouse cleans ‘private men’s gym’ of cash

Police were searching Capitol Hill late Wednesday night after a man entered Summit Ave’s Steamworks, said he had a gun, and then sprayed an employee with pepper spray while emptying the cash register.

Police and medic units responded to the 1520 Summit Ave business Wednesday night just after 11 PM. The employee was shaken and only able to provide a general description: the robber was an unknown race male, around 5’9″ and wearing a dark hoodie pulled tight to cover his face. The suspect told the employee he was carrying a gun but the weapon was not seen. The employee was treated for pepper spray exposure.

No details if the subsequent search yielded a suspect. We have a few reports of police activity in the Pike/Pine area and around Cal Anderson Park in the minutes after this incident that we’re still checking up on.

Steamworks bills itself as a “private men’s gym, sauna and bathhouse.”

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Ella
Ella
13 years ago

C’mon we all know its not a “private gym” although I can’t go there and probably wouldn’t if I could I have often wondered about the security of these places. I know people that have been robbed and mugged at Steamworks but because of anonymity I think it just gets pushed to the way side. Im sorry for the employee who was pepper sprayed but anyone working in a facility with no windows may want to consider themselves a sitting target. SAD.

BEEN THERE
BEEN THERE
13 years ago

Ella- the steamrooms and various other guy club locations are safer than the street in front of your house ….

And Ella, you can go “there”, and also “there” ….for women, called the Hothouse, near the Wildrose.

oh but it is
oh but it is
13 years ago

all of the quotes “today”. Ella this is in fact a ” private gym.” Members pay membership fees to attend. All are welcome that want to pay those fees for the “ALL” benefits of that club or gym. You are welcome to go take a looksie if you want, you are not excluded, but remember, a “private” membership fee is required.

Mimi
Mimi
13 years ago

Way to blame the victim.

Tom
Tom
13 years ago

It’s still NOT a gym. Call it what you want, until they have rooms of workout equipment it’s not a gym. It’s a bath house, plain and simple. To try and say it’s anything else is ridiculous. It’s a place where consenting adult males can go and relax in somewhat steamy rooms and do what they want.

Private gym, my ass!

richard
richard
13 years ago

I think it’s suitable to call it a gym as i am sure the members there do get a good workout while there despite there (most likely) is no gym equipment. LoL

candices
candices
13 years ago

We live right across from Steamworks and whatever type of gym it is, they’re good neighbors. I hate that someone took violated their employees and livelihood. Sorry guys!

I wonder why more of us on Pine don’t have video cameras outside our buildings for these sorts of occasions (we could have seen who done it) – and who tags the hell out of the alley…

candices
candices
13 years ago

:)

wellsaid
wellsaid
13 years ago

Private Gym, my ass?

Well said sir, well said.

gside
gside
13 years ago

“The Greek word gymnasium means “place to be naked” and was used in ancient Greece to designate a locality for the education of young men, including physical education (gymnastics, i.e. exercise) which was customarily performed naked, as well as bathing, and studies. For the Greeks, physical education was considered as important as cognitive learning. Most Greek gymnasia had libraries that could be utilized after relaxing in the baths.”

Barry
Barry
13 years ago

A friend of mine is bi-curious and looking for a discreet encounter with another man. Would an establishment like this be a good place to look?

odearlord
odearlord
13 years ago

don’t be silly. of course you can go! and your “friend” too!

maus
maus
13 years ago

“I know people that have been robbed and mugged at Steamworks but because of anonymity I think it just gets pushed to the way side”

I know that Ella works as a hooker on the side, but because of anonymity none of her clients speak up.

See? Claims like that are incredibly unreliable (I think.)

maus
maus
13 years ago

I’m sure the birkam yoga classes there are… interesting.

Ella
Ella
13 years ago

“I know that Ella works as a hooker on the side, but because of anonymity none of her clients speak up.” Good One!!!! Thanks for the coffee conversation piece for the weekend maus.

seattlenuwave
seattlenuwave
13 years ago

Sorry to hear that one of steamworks employees got pepper sprayed. A few of my friends have worked there over the years and from what I hear, they treat their workers like slaves. And I’ve also been told that the place is owned by drug addicts who use it as their personal sex castle. If what I’ve been told is true, I have no sympathy for that bathhouse, only for the poor employee who got pepper sprayed while working there.