Spitzer was arrested at a store in Everett after the victim convinced him to take her there following an assault.
According to probable cause papers filed with the court the victim told Everett Police she had passed the suspect on the street and he then came up from behind her hitting her in the head causing her to fall down and also causing her pain and injury.
The suspect then reportedly picked her up, grabbed her by the elbow, and ordered her to hold his hand and act normal or her would slit her throat. He reportedly made her jump a fence into a wooded area where he assaulted her in multiple ways.
The probable cause papers say during the assault the woman reported the suspect was holding what she believed was a gun beside him. The victim convinced the suspect to allow her to go to a nearby store to use the bathroom. Inside the store bathroom the victim was able to get a person to call 911 to report she had been raped and kidnapped.
Arriving officers located the suspect who refused to identify himself. He was found with the victim’s lunch pail and also her handbag and underwear along with a scarf. The victim told police the scarf was not hers but the victim made her wear it during the attack.
The woman was able to confirm to police the person they had in custody was the man who assaulted her. She was taken to a hospital. The suspect was transported to the Everett Police north precinct and refused to identify himself to detectives. He was later booked into the Snohomish County Jail on multiple felonies and was identified as James R. Spitzer through fingerprints.
On Sunday Spitzer’s bail was set at $100,000.00 at a preliminary hearing. On Monday Spitzer came before Judge Pro Tem David Ruzumna during a probable cause hearing. The judge agreed with a Prosecutor’s request to raise bail to $250,000.00 based on the attack that the Prosecutor termed serious and alarming. The prosecutor noted Spitzer’s previous history of attempted murder of law enforcement officers in Nevada in 2011.
Prosecutors now have until July 2nd to file felony charges in Superior Court or release Spitzer.
Everett Police are interested in hearing from any other people who may have been assaulted in a similar manner. Reports can be made at 9-1-1 or (425) 407-3999.
There is also a crisis line staffed around the clock to provide caring, supportive assistance, call 425-252-4800. All calls are confidential.
Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett also offers Assault and Abuse services. You can learn more here.
June 16, 2021
Police Blotter