Local briefly: Everett man charged with bank robbery

Published 10:49 pm Tuesday, November 20, 2007

LYNNWOOD — A 45-year-old Everett man was charged Tuesday with first-degree robbery in the Sept. 18 holdup of a Wells Fargo bank branch in the 2600 block of 196th Street SW.

David Lynn Laughinghouse is accused of putting his hand in a pocket and demanding cash from an employee, according to charging papers filed in Snohomish County Superior Court. The bandit got out the door with $794 before a dye pack was activated.

Detectives found dye-stained cash in the parking lot next to the bank.

The bank’s surveillance video took photos of the robber, which were distributed to the news media. Someone recognized the photo, leading to Laughinghouse’s arrest, deputy prosecutor Bonnie Tweten said.

Halogen lamp sparks fire in travel trailer

Investigators believe a fire sparked by a halogen lamp in a travel trailer spread into a home, damaging the walls, garage and attic, according to the Lynnwood Fire Department.

Firefighters responded about 4:40 a.m. Tuesday to the fire in the 6300 block of 177th Place SW. In addition to burning the trailer, the fire damaged belongings in the attic and a car and boat stored in the garage. Lynn­wood Fire Marshal LeRoy McNulty estimated the total dollar loss to be about $120,000.

Nobody was injured.

Investigators believe the halogen lamp was meant to keep the travel tailer warm. A timer turned the lamp on about 4 a.m., but it was apparently too close to combustibles, according to the fire department.

Halogen bulbs should be used with caution, Fire Marshal McNulty said. A standard halogen bulb of 300 watts can reach 970 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, an incandescent 75-watt bulb operates at about 260 degrees Fahrenheit, he said.