Robber caught in bank holdup

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PUYALLUP — A bomb threat at a bank was swiftly defused last night, with the robber getting arrested as soon as he got out the door.

Police said a man with a gun walked into the Wells Fargo branch at 431 39th Ave. S.W. shortly before 6 p.m. and placed a package on the bank manager’s desk. He told her it was a bomb and handed other employees a remote-control device, which he said had to be pushed twice to defuse the bomb when he left.

Then he took an undisclosed amount of money and the manager with him and tried to leave. But police were waiting outside.

A bomb-sniffing dog from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department indicated the package was nonexplosive.

In custody, the man told police the package held nothing but candlesticks.

Makahs seek scenic status for roads to Cape Flattery

NEAH BAY, Clallam County — The Makah Tribe wants a scenic-byway designation for roads leading across its reservation to Cape Flattery.

The tribe hopes to draw tourists to the town of Neah Bay. “We have (tourists) and we don’t do much to recover money from them,” said outgoing tribal-council Chairman Greig Arnold.

The byway would also educate visitors about Makah whaling and tribal history, Arnold said. Designation would not provide direct road-maintenance funds, but it could lead to money for pullouts and informational kiosks.

Plot alleged against witness in mail-order bride’s slaying

EVERETT — Indle King Jr., who faces charges of killing his mail-order bride, offered a fellow inmate $5,000 to make sure a key witness didn’t testify against him in trial, Snohomish County prosecutors alleged yesterday.

The inmate reportedly refused the offer and reported it to police.

King already faces a charge of first-degree murder in the September 2000 killing of his wife, Anastasia, 20, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Trial is set for Monday.

King is also charged with witness tampering for allegedly urging his former housemate, Daniel Larson, to lie about King’s whereabouts on the night of his wife’s death.

Prosecutors say Larson strangled Anastasia King while King lay across her chest.

Kent driver to be charged in skateboarder’s injury

KENT –– Prosecutors said charges would be filed this week against a 40-year-old Kent driver who struck a boy on a skateboard Saturday evening. The unidentified man was booked into jail.

Scott Wolthuis, 13, suffered head injuries in the accident on Lake Fenwick Road and was in serious condition last night.

Two men held after fire at high school in Spanaway

SPANAWAY, Pierce County — Two men have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire early Sunday caused $150,000 in damage to a portable classroom at Bethel High School.

The men’s identities were not released.

In October, an arson destroyed the high school’s football-stadium bleachers, causing $250,000 in damage.

Oregon man faces charges after girl dies in drag race

GRESHAM, Ore. — A Portland man faces manslaughter charges in the death of his girlfriend’s 11-year-old sister, who was killed when he lost control in a drag race and hit a tree.

Edgar Islas-Moran, 20, was driving Saturday night with his 17-year-old girlfriend beside him and the sister in the back seat.

Police said he started racing another car. When a pickup turned in front of them, Islas-Moran swerved and hit the tree.

Information is from Seattle Times staff and news services.