TAMPA, Fla. — A Washington state woman accused of killing the owner of a chain of pawn shops in Oregon was arrested in Florida on Monday, authorities said.
Nistashia Rose Tate, 23, of Vancouver, was arrested while boarding a bus in Florida, The Oregonian reported. She is being held without bail on charges of second-degree murder and robbery, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office online booking records.
According to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Tate is the prime suspect in the murder of Jimmy Alan Pearson, 63, of Milwaukie, The Oregonian reported. Pearson was a businessman who owned a chain of pawnshops in the Portland area, the newspaper reported.
Pearson was found fatally shot on March 3, according to the sheriff’s office. Officials did not say what connection Tate had with Pearson.
According to the sheriff’s office, a forensic analysis showed Tate had visited Pearson on the date he was killed, The Oregonian reported. Also, a routine traffic stop nearby placed Tate’s car in the area of Pearson’s home before his body was found, the newspaper reported. Investigators said they later found some of Pearson’s things in Tate’s car.
Pearson lived alone in his home, KPTV reported. His body was discovered by one of his employees. The employee went to Pearson’s home after he had not been seen at work, the television station reported.
A medical examiner performed an autopsy and concluded Pearson died of homicidal violence, KOIN-TV reported.
Tate was arrested by U.S. marshals, according to The Oregonian.
Cox Media Group
