Police arrest man suspected in seven robberies

Published 10:10 pm Saturday, September 5, 2009

ARLINGTON — Police arrested a 27-year old Snohomish man who they believe is responsible for a string of seven armed robberies of convenience stores in four cities.

About 4 a.m. Saturday, a customer at a convenience store in the 3300 block of 172nd St. NE saw a man lurking in the shadows behind the store. The customer grew suspicious and called police, said Kristin Banfield, an Arlington city spokeswoman.

Officers from Arlington, Marysville and sheriff’s deputies responded and found the man hiding in some nearby bushes, she said. Police believe the man had planned to rob the convenience store.

The man told police that he had robbed convenience stores in Arlington, Lake Stevens, Snohomish and Everett, some more than once, she said.

“We had an alert citizen,” Banfield said. “It broke the case and allowed us to arrest someone.”

The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree robbery.