May 29, 2024
King County: At approximately 7:30am on May 22, 2024, Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers and detectives arrested a suspect for investigation of two weapon brandishings that occurred on SR 18 and I-90.
This investigation started with a 9-1-1 call on May 13, 2024, when the caller stated a female driving a black GMC Acadia with Washington license plate of CCX1088 pointed a black handgun at them and their niece twice in the area of eastbound SR 18 between the Tiger Mountain summit and I-90. Troopers contacted the victim, took a statement, and showed them a photo of the female registered owner of the vehicle. The victim positively identified that person as the driver that pointed a weapon at them and the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Detectives cross referenced the license plate in the WSP database and discovered this same vehicle was involved in a weapon brandishing case on June 30, 2023. The victim in this case call 9-1-1 to report this incident but did not request any contact by troopers. This incident occurred on eastbound I-90 exiting to SR 18 just after 5:00pm. Detectives contacted this victim; they provided a statement and positively identified the same suspect out of a photo montage. They reported this vehicle cut them off taking the exit to SR 18 at which time they rolled down their window to talk to the suspect. It was at this time the driver of the vehicle racked a round into the chamber while pointing the gun at them.
Detectives were able to determine a place of employment for the suspect and a routine travel time and location.
On May 22, 2024, surveillance was set up in the routine area and time of travel with marked units assisting to make a traffic stop and arrest if located. Just before 7:30am the suspect vehicle was located traveling westbound I-90 from SR 18 and a traffic stop was initiated westbound I-90 just west of Preston where the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
The suspect was identified as Nicole Howland, 31 years of age last residing in Federal Way, Washington. Howland was subsequently booked into the King County Jail on two counts of Assault 2nd Degree and Felony Harassment.
Detectives applied for and received a search warrant for the vehicle in which the below handgun was found and placed into evidence.
WSP detectives are seeking anyone with additional information on this weapon brandishing. Please email Detective Sergeev at Ivan.Sergeev@wsp.wa.gov.
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