The L.S. Police Department is looking for information and/or assistance identifying
the suspect who attempted to rob the Lake Stevens Rite-Aid Pharmacy.

Hillcrest Elementary, Skyline Elementary and Lake Stevens Middle School went into lock down last Thursday, May 31 after a man walked into the Lake Stevens Rite-Aid on 91st St. NE claiming he had a gun and asking for drugs.
The white male is suspected to be 20 to 30 years old.

“The suspect walked into Rite-Aid and approached the pharmacy asking for hydrocodone and Percocet. He handed the pharmacy tech a handwritten note stating he had a gun,” Lake Stevens Police Chief Randy Celori said.
The pharmacy tech delayed the suspect and contacted the pharmacist. That’s when the suspect decided to leave the store.
“He was unsuccessful in obtaining any drugs,” Celori said.

The man took off on a bicycle and was seen heading southbound on 91st St.
“We brought in a K9 and starting tracking the individual south down 91st St. at which time we contacted the school district and requested they lock down Lake Stevens Middle School, Skyline and Hillcrest,” Celori explained. “The schools were locked down for 45 minutes, until we lost track of the scent and felt comfortably sure that the children would be safe.”
When school lock downs occur the school district and the police are in constant communication. Their top priority is keeping the students safe.

“As soon as we get the information from law enforcement we make sure that the students and the buildings are secured,” Lake Stevens School District’s Director of Communications Arlene Hulten said. “If kids are outside they are brought in and doors are locked. The rules are nobody in and nobody out. We may not know what they intruder looks like and they may say they are a parent or relative.”

When the lock down occur students at Hillcrest Elementary and at the preschool held there, were still in school. However, by the time Skyline and Lake Stevens Middle School were locked down students had already left for the day.

“School was out at those two sites but we still had to secure any staff and after school programs and activities,” Hulten explained. “Hillcrest did a dial out to parents and the preschool had teachers calling parents as well.”

The Lake Stevens Police are continuing to follow leads. If you have information please call the Lake Stevens Police Department Tip Line at 425-377-3214 or 911.

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