Arlington Police apprehend serial armed robbery suspect

ARLINGTON - On Saturday, Sept. 5, Arlington Police booked a 27-year-old Snohomish man into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of Robbery in the First Degree. Arlington police say they interrupted a robbery just as a suspect was gearing up to enter a gas station located in the 3300 block to 172nd St. NE in the city of Arlington.

Police officers were alerted to the robber’s presence by a witness who noticed a man acting suspicious; standing in the shadows behind the location. Officers from Arlington, Marysville and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department quickly poured into the area and were able to apprehend the suspect who had bedded down in some nearby bushes. Several items of evidence were seized including a weapon believed to have been used by the suspect.

The suspect was subsequently interviewed by detectives from Arlington and Snohomish Police. During this interview, investigators were able to tie the suspect to a total of seven separate armed robberies occurring over the past several months. These robberies occurred at gas stations and convenience stores located in Arlington, Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Everett. The suspect admitted to robbing some locations more than one time, including the attempted robbery of the location which he was apprehended in this incident.

“This apprehension would not have been possible without the help of the alert witness that was able to recognize and report the suspicious behavior,” said Detective Sgt. Jonathan Ventura with Arlington Police. Ventura also commented, “It is also a credit to the quick response of all the officers from the surrounding agencies and underscores the importance of interagency cooperation. Crooks don’t always keep to their hometowns and we (law enforcement) have more success when we work together.”

Additional criminal charges are likely to be filed by the jurisdictions with related investigations as soon as the proper notifications can be made.

Robbery in the first degree is a Class A felony that is punishable by up to life imprisonment and $50,000.00 in fines.

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