Bank robbery suspect apprehended

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 15, 2006

EVERETT – A 40-year-old man is behind bars on suspicion of robbing six banks in Everett during the past six months.

Everett police and federal investigators believe an Everett man robbed the Key Bank in the 6700 block of Evergreen Way last Wednesday, Western District U.S. Marshal Eric Robertson said Tuesday.

Police arrested Michael Jaaskela on Monday. He was ordered jailed Tuesday on suspicion of two counts of first-degree robbery, one count of second-degree robbery, assault and domestic violence. His bail was set at $285,000.

The arresting officers found the man hiding under a pile of laundry in a north Everett home, Robertson said.

“Michael Jaaskela was an extremely dangerous fugitive who is now behind bars,” Robertson said. “The citizens of Everett and Snohomish County are safer now that Mr. Jaaskela has been removed from the streets.”

Investigators believe Jaaskela also robbed the Snohomish County PUD Credit Union in the 1300 block of Broadway on July 31, according to documents filed in Everett District Court.

Everett detectives were also seeking Jaaskela in connection with a July 29 assault in which someone reportedly fired a gun at a woman, a police report said.

The people who own the home where Jaaskela was hiding were not arrested because they did not know he was wanted, Robertson said.

Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.