Police Blotter

SeaTac

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Murder suspect arrested

July 23-A suspect was arrested for the death of a cab driver in SeaTac on July 10 and charged with first-degree murder.

Earnest Lenell Collins, 18, of SeaTac, was arrested in Chicago at the request of King County Sheriff's detectives.

Collins allegedly fled there after the homicide.

Detectives believe Collins called Far West Taxi about 2:30 a.m. on the day of the murder and had a cab sent to 3840 S. 177th St., where he was living with his parents and other siblings.

Cab driver Jagit Singh was shot twice in the head after he arrived, and the taxi set on fire.

Sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart said robbery was "the most likely motive" for the crime.

After a search warrant was served on the house, Urquhart said detectives found several items of clothing with burn marks. A partially burned shirt was identified as belong to Collins.

The cell phone used to call Far West was traced to Collins, and several people have identified Collins' voice on the taped line calling for the taxi, he added.

Sheriff's detectives traced Collins to Chicago where he and his brother Vernell, 16, were arrested. Both were to be extradited back to Seattle early this week-Earnest for the homicide warrant; Vernell for a local assault warrant.