EVERETT — An Everett man reportedly has admitted he’s behind a string of robberies last month in Snohomish County that involved multiple espresso stands and a bank.
Lanny R. Frazier, 30, of Everett, told police he has been addicted to heroin for years, deputy prosecutor Jarett Goodkin said in an affidavit filed in Snohomish County Superior Court.
The defendant now is charged with one count of first-degree robbery connected to a Jan. 17 holdup at the Columbia Bank on Lincoln Avenue in Snohomish. He’s also charged with four counts of second-degree robbery and one count of attempted first-degree robbery. All those charges stem from holdups at espresso stands between Jan. 3 and Jan. 14.
“Frazier confessed to robbing the bank. He also admitted to the espresso stand robberies in Everett, Marysville and Arlington, but he couldn’t remember exact dates and times,” Goodkin said in court papers.
Police had spotted a pattern in the crimes. In each case, baristas said the man claimed to have a handgun, though he never displayed a weapon.
The robber told one stand worker to “empty the till before I have to do something stupid.” He promised another she wouldn’t get hurt if she did as she was told.
When one holdup ended with a warning that police would be called, the suspect said he didn’t care and he ran away.
Police shared information about the robberies, including surveillance video footage and a suspect sketch.
Frazier’s mother spotted a report on television. She contacted police. An ex-girlfriend also made the link.
Officers had him under surveillance by Jan. 17. They spotted Frazier in Marysville near the first espresso stand that had been hit two weeks earlier.
“Frazier stood outside of his vehicle for about five minutes and then left,” driving so aggressively that officers broke off surveillance, Goodkin wrote.
An hour later, Snohomish police were summoned to a bank robbery. The robber had claimed to have a gun.
Police reviewed video and stills from the bank robbery. They compared those images to Frazier’s driver’s license and prior booking photos.
He was arrested a few hours later. A search of his car turned up an envelope that Frazier allegedly handed the bank teller when he demanded cash, as well as clothing worn during the holdup, Goodkin said.
On Wednesday, Frazier was behind bars, his bail set at $100,000. Trial has been scheduled for late March.
Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
