By Cathy Logg
Herald Writer
SNOHOMISH — Police detectives on Wednesday night arrested a 17-year-old Seattle boy believed to be the second suspect in a robbery and assault at a jewelry store in downtown Snohomish.
The arrest occurred without incident in Seattle about 7:30 p.m., Snohomish Police Chief Rob Sofie said.
Police asked a judge for bail to be set at an amount higher than the $75,000 bail received by the first suspect, an 18-year-old man arrested Friday shortly after the robbery, Sofie said.
Two armed robbers burst into the jewelry store at 1024 First St. on Friday, assaulted the owner and an employee, smashed three jewelry cases and stole about $15,000 worth of jewelry. They fled in a stolen car, and one was shot in the arm by a bystander who tried to stop them from getting away.
After an intensive manhunt that shut down parts of Snohomish as police combed the area with a helicopter and thermal imaging devices, the 18-year-old suspect was arrested.
But the 17-year-old suspect slipped away.
Earlier Wednesday, police were discussing the suspect’s surrender to police with the boy’s attorney.
The 17-year-old boy was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on investigation of armed robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and two counts of first-degree possession of stolen property.
Although he is a juvenile, he was booked into the jail because state law mandates that 16- and 17-year-olds charged with serious violent crimes automatically be remanded to adult court.
Police now believe that all of the stolen jewelry has been found.
"Without having done an exact inventory, we think we have recovered all the property taken," Sofie said.
Still, police are plagued with questions about the robbery.
"Why Snohomish? Why Sachi’s? A lot of things don’t seem to fit well," Sofie said.
"From what we can tell, neither of them has a formal criminal history. Why an aggravated robbery on their maiden voyage?"
The robbery was premeditated, Sofie said. The robbers used a stolen car, brought a bag containing hammers to smash the glass jewelry cases, had a stolen handgun, an escape plan and a change of clothes, he said.
"Why did they have to assault the employees when they weren’t provoked to do so?" he said.
Investigators don’t know the connection between the two robbers.
You can call Herald Writer Cathy Logg at 425-339-3437
or send e-mail to logg@heraldnet.com.
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