Police arrest naked man in connection with bizarre crime spree

Published 11:12 am Monday, March 3, 2008

A man suspected of committing a string of bizarre crimes April 23 in Edmonds, Woodway and Kenmore ended his alleged crime streak streaking, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Erik O. Kirkman, 27, of Renton, was apprehended by sheriff’s officers Wednesday, April 26. He was naked, except for a baseball cap and socks, when he ran from police, climbed over a metal fence and hid in bushes, police say.

A helicopter spotlight revealed his hideout to police, Sgt. John Urquhart of the sheriff’s office said.

Kirkman was booked into the Snohomish County Jail and is charged with a string of home-invasion robberies, thefts and burglaries in south Snohomish and north King counties.

He reportedly forced his way into a home in Edmonds on Sunday, April 23, and stole a van and cell phone. Kirkman then allegedly crashed the van in Seattle during a police chase. He ran away from the accident, burst into a second home, shaved his head, grabbed some clothes and hailed a cab, according to court papers.

He had been on the loose ever since.

Attracting attention while behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Taurus turned out to be Kirkman’s shortcoming.

A SeaTac police officer noticed the white 1989 Ford Taurus quickly change lanes as he approached, Urquhart said. The license plate turned out to be bogus, belonging to a blue 2002 Ford Taurus.

The officer pulled over the car, but as he approached, Kirkman sped off, police said. The chase went on for several blocks before the officer nudged the Taurus with his patrol car, causing it to spin out.

Kirkman jumped from the car and ran, giving police the first good look at their suspect.

“His poorly shaven head was distinctive, and we were pretty sure we knew who he was,” Urquhart said.

Kirkman climbed a 10-foot chain-link fence as he tried to break free from police. As he reached the top of the fence, the officer shot him with a stun gun. The five-second jolt knocked Kirkman to the ground, Urquhart said. But one of the barbs dislodged from his skin, and Kirkman took off running again.

As a police dog closed in, Kirkman surrendered.

A woman, who was clothed, also ran from the car. She was found nearby and arrested. She had a warrant for possession of stolen property.

Police believe she likely accompanied Kirkman during part of the crime streak.

Methamphetamine and marijuana reportedly were found inside the Taurus.

Diana Hefley is a writer for The Herald in Everett.