UPDATE: William T. Freeman pleaded guilty June 19, 2019, to second-degree robbery and was sentenced June 21, 2019, to two years in prison, which included a 12-month deadly weapon enhancement, court records show.
Police say a man who’s accused of robbing a Washougal convenience store Sunday morning was caught red-handed, literally.
William T. Freeman, 29, of Washougal had dyed his hair red prior to the robbery and still had dye on his fingers when he was arrested, according to an affidavit of probable cause. Freeman made a first appearance Monday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of first-degree robbery and third-degree theft.
Judge Suzan Clark set bail at $50,000, according to court records. He is scheduled for arraignment May 24.
Washougal police were dispatched at 10:02 a.m. to E Street Market & Deli, 1414 E St., for a report of an armed robbery.
Jin Jeoung, the store’s owner and clerk, said a man entered the store with his hand on an object hidden under a blue jumpsuit. The man then showed part of the metal object, which appeared to be a gun, and said “Gimme the money” a couple of times, the affidavit says.
After taking multiple $10 bills, the robber ran northbound from the location. Jeoung and witnesses described the man as being in his 20s, standing about 6 feet tall, and having short, red hair. He wore a red bandana over his face, according to the affidavit.
Minutes later, Camas police spotted a man, identified as Freeman, who matched the robber’s description, northeast of the store. He appeared to be sweating from running, the affidavit says. Police found five $10 bills in Freeman’s left front pocket. Officers also viewed surveillance video from the store and confirmed Freeman was the robber, according to the affidavit.
Freeman initially denied being involved in the robbery but later confessed. He took police to a spot across the street from the store where he ditched a crowbar — the object that was mistaken for a firearm — a blue jumpsuit and a bandana, the affidavit says.
