Police track down 6-foot-11, 300-pound robbery suspect

LYNNWOOD — A Brier man who reportedly robbed an acquaintance while wielding a katana sword was arrested Thursday at a Lynnwood-area home.

Nathaniel James Lucas-McLean, 35, had been on the run since a Jan. 4 manhunt in Lynnwood, according to the arrest report. Before the manhunt, he was wanted by Brier police in connection with a robbery.

Brier police allege that Lucas-McLean, who is 6-foot-11 and 300 pounds, went to his acquaintance’s house and ordered the victim to “go elephant ears,” a slang term for emptying one’s pants pockets and turning them inside out. Lucas-McLean reportedly held a katana to the man’s neck and demanded his jewelry and cash during the Dec. 22 robbery. Lucas-McLean allegedly also showed a handgun and threatened to hurt the man and his family.

The man was rescued when a relative showed up outside and demanded to see him.

On Jan. 4, a Lynnwood police sergeant spotted Lucas-McLean at a motel along 196th Street SW.

The sergeant was in the motel lobby when Lucas-McLean stepped out of the elevator, according to the report. The sergeant reportedly recognized Lucas-McLean from previous interactions and a Brier police bulletin about the robbery.

A chase broke out. During the chase, Lucas-McLean reportedly ditched a handgun and bags of heroin and methamphetamine, which were later recovered.

Police from Snohomish and King counties converged on scene, but Lucas-McLean was not apprehended at the time.

Lynnwood police on Friday did not say how they tracked down Lucas-McLean the day before. He was arrested without further incident, according to a news release.

Lucas-McLean was being held Friday at the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, first-degree burglary, felony harassment and drug possession. He also had a warrant for a contempt-of-court offense.

Lynnwood police expect to seek additional charges against Lucas-McLean, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, pending evidence testing of the recovered handgun.

He is described in the police reports as a known gang member and career criminal.

Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.

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