Man held on firearm, robbery charges

Published 9:53 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2009

ARLINGTON — Note to armed robbers: Be careful playing with firearms.

A Stanwood man, 21, suspected in armed robberies in Lynnwood and Arlington, reportedly shot himself in the hand while showing off his handgun.

The man was arrested last week in Lynnwood for investigation of robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Arlington police on Friday also arrested the man, by then already jailed, in connection with a June armed robbery of a Arlington pizza parlor, Arlington city spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said.

“It was difficult for (the man) to deny having been in possession of a firearm as witnesses reported that he had recently shot himself in the hand while showing off the pistol to friends,” Arlington police Sgt. Jonathan Ventura said.

Police in Arlington and Lynnwood said they have evidence that links the weapon to the robberies, she said.

The man remains jailed in lieu of $125,000 bail.