EVERETT — A 7-foot-tall Brier man accused using an unsheathed katana sword to threaten an acquaintance in December pleaded not guilty to robbery charges Friday in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Nathaniel James Lucas, 35, was being held in the Snohomish County Jail on $500,000 bail.
The charges stem from a Dec. 22 incident in the 22900 block of 35th Avenue W. in Brier.
Another Brier man, 23, said he was outside of the home when Lucas approached him with the sword.
Lucas allegedly told the man, “Out your pockets, elephant ears!” That’s street slang for ordering someone to empty and turn their pockets inside out.
The victim said he “does not go elephant ears for anyone,” according to a police report.
Lucas then allegedly put the sword to the man’s neck and demanded his jewelry and cash or he would cut off his hands and head. He reportedly took the man’s rings and $120 from his pocket, court papers said.
Lucas also allegedly ordered the man into the house and forced him to sit on the couch. The victim told police that Lucas said several other people were coming over and they were going to beat the man to within an inch of his life.
The victim reportedly convinced Lucas to allow him to call his aunt. He told police he made up a story that he had planned to meet her. In reality, he was using the phone to secretly warn his aunt that he was in trouble. He told her that he didn’t need a ride and was going to play basketball and record some music with the defendant.
At that point, his aunt knew he was in trouble and drove to the home.
The victim said he noticed that Lucas also was armed with a revolver besides the sword, court papers said.
From the driveway, the man’s aunt attempted to phone him several times. Another man came out of the house and told her that her nephew wasn’t there.
She told him she could see the back of her nephew’s head in the window.
The victim soon was released, but Lucas allegedly threatened him to “be smart” and indicated he knew where the man’s aunt lived.
The man called 911.
Lucas was arrested in January after allegedly attempting to run away from Lynnwood police in an unrelated case. He’s being investigated for being a felon in possession of a firearm and drug possession.
Police believe Lucas dumped a bag of methamphetamine and a handgun while they were trying to find him.
In an affidavit to establish probable cause, a Lynnwood police officer described Lucas as a gang member with a long criminal history.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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