Arlington man admits stealing $2,600 in prescription glasses

Published 1:30 am Monday, September 5, 2016

EVERETT — Nicholas James Nigro has volunteered as a firefighter, protecting people and property in north Snohomish County.

He’s now looking at a possible prison sentence after allegedly flashing a handgun when confronted during the shoplifting of $2,600 worth of prescription sunglasses.

The Arlington man recently was charged in Snohomish County Superior Court with first-degree robbery.

The case stems from a July 21 incident at a south Everett eye clinic. Police didn’t have to work too hard to identify the suspect. Nigro was there for an appointment to update his prescription.

While staff were tending to that business, the defendant, 34, began trying on some prescription sunglasses, deputy prosecutor Matt Hunter said in court papers.

A worker reported watching Nigro slip some of the sunglasses into the pockets of the shorts he was wearing.

When confronted, the defendant allegedly lifted his shirt and said “I do not have any sunglasses but I do have a gun,” Hunter wrote. He then left.

Police went looking for Nigro. When he found out, he called them to say it was all a big mistake. He insisted the only reason he displayed the black handgun was to assure the clinic worker that the bulge in his clothing was not from pilfered eye wear, Hunter wrote.

The man initially stuck to that story when he met with detectives. When pressed, however, he admitted stealing the sunglasses and told investigators where they could be found.

“He also said he is struggling with an opiate addiction,” Hunter wrote.

A search of the man’s vehicle turned up a loaded 9mm handgun and drug paraphernalia. Pills and suspected heroin also reportedly were found in his girlfriend’s purse.

If convicted as charged, Nigro is looking at roughly three years in prison, Hunter wrote. He’s also charged with first-degree theft for purchases made on a former employer’s credit cards.

Nigro has been free on bail while the cases work through the legal system.

When his girlfriend provided police with a statement about the sunglasses incident, she described Nigro as an “amazing stand up member of the community” who saves others’ lives.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.