The suspect in the Munchbar homicide on Christmas Eve, Ja’mari Alexander Alan Jones has been caught. Jones was taken into custody in Lakewood during a traffic stop Wednesday night.

Just after 8 p.m., Lakewood officers took Jones into custody after randomly running the license plate of a Toyota Corolla. The vehicle license returned as a reported stolen vehicle out of Auburn. More patrol units were called to assist in a high risk vehicle stop in the 10800 block of Pacific Highway South.

Both Jones and his 20 year-old girlfriend, Maliesha Imunique Saleem, were arrested without incident for possession of a stolen vehicle. During the traffic stop investigation it was determined that Jones was wanted in the Bellevue homicide.

Bellevue police detectives were notified and both Jones and Saleem were transported to the Bellevue Police Department jail. Both were interviewed by detectives and later transported to King County Jail.

Jones was booked for Murder 2 with a $5 Million dollar bail bond. Saleem was booked for Rendering Criminal Assistance. Prosecutors may have other pending charges for both Jones and Saleem.

The Toyota was impounded and towed to the Bellevue Police Department as part of the homicide investigation.

In the early morning of Christmas Eve, a shooting occurred at the Munchbar, a popular nightclub at Bellevue Square located at 505 Bellevue Way. The shooting left one Seattle man dead and another Renton man badly injured.

Bellevue Police officers and other surrounding police agencies were on scene immediately.

There were reportedly 600+ patrons at the bar at the time of the shooting. An altercation led up to the shooting. The situation was chaotic inside the bar while police officers tried to secure the scene.

Surveillance video and witness testimony assisted detectives in identifying the shooter as Jones.

Following the Bellevue PD’s announcement, Kemper Development issued a press release announcing plans to permanently shut Munchbar/Mirror Lounge, a decision that was said to be mutually agreed upon.

“Both parties determined this would be best for the community, guests and the families involved,” reads the statement.

Munchbar, which opened in 2011, has been closed since Dec. 24.

Tape seals a Toyota Corolla in which Ja’mari Alexander Alan Jones and his girlfriend, Maliesha Imunique Saleem were riding when arrested by police.

Courtesy Photo, Bellevue Police Department