MARYSVILLE — A man prosecutors believe shot a woman in the face during a robbery in Marysville late Sunday could face life behind bars under the state’s three strikes law.
Austin A. Wilson was arrested for investigation of first-degree robbery early Wednesday. Police said they found 40 grams of heroin and drug scales in his car.
A judge on Wednesday ordered Wilson, 28, held at the Snohomish County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail. Wilson is a registered sex offender who was under state supervision for child molestation, officials said.
Marysville police believe that Wilson and James Carol Howe, 31, planned to meet an Arlington woman outside the Winco Foods grocery store in the 3900 block of 116th Street NE.
The woman, 31, told police she was collecting on debts, according to a police affidavit filed Wednesday in Everett District Court.
The men believed the woman could have as much as $40,000 cash. They “knew she always carried money and drugs,” police said.
When the woman arrived she first met with Howe. Then Wilson allegedly attacked her and tried to grab her purse.
Wilson reportedly hit the woman in the face with a Glock handgun. The weapon reportedly fired during the struggle. The woman said she closed her eyes when the gun was fired and felt something graze her lip, according to a police report.
Both men fled and the woman was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. She was treated for broken teeth and a cut lip, police said.
She told police she had about $5,000 cash in her purse and about three ounces of methamphetamine.
The victim, who also has a lengthy criminal history, is not under investigation, Rasmussen said.
Police still are trying to collect evidence to corroborate her story, Marysville police Lt. Darin Rasmussen said.
Howe, who has a Bothell address, was arrested Tuesday night. He told police that Wilson said he found $1,700 in the woman’s purse and Howe was given about $700.
Howe arranged to meet Wilson at an Everett bar to buy heroin. Police learned of the meeting and Wilson was taken into custody just after midnight.
Howe also has a lengthy criminal history, records show. He was convicted of forgery in April and failed to surrender to begin serving his sentence. He was ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail.
Wilson was first convicted in 1994. He’s done jail time for child molestation, drug crimes and second-degree armed robbery. If charged and convicted in the robbery, prosecutors said he could be sentenced under the state’s three strikes law.
Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Police need help
Police are looking for witnesses. Anyone who may have seen the incident or noticed the suspect vehicle, a red Dodge Durango, is asked to call detective Cori Shackleton at 360-363-8327.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
