Arlington schools' lockdown lifted, robbery suspect still at large

ARLINGTON — A lockdown on five Arlington schools has been lifted in the wake of an armed robbery in downtown Arlington on Thursday, Feb. 23.

At the request of Arlington Police, the Eagle Creek and Presidents elementary schools were locked down, along with the Haller and Post middle schools and the Stillaguamish Valley School, from 11:35 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. after a latte stand at the corner of N. Olympic Avenue and Division Street was robbed, according to Andrea Conley, public information officer for the Arlington Public Schools. Conley added that the Arlington School District's main offices were also locked down during that time.

"The K-9 search showed the robber had headed away from the schools," Conley said of the female suspect, who reportedly displayed a dark-colored pistol at the latte stand and demanded cash. "We used our 'Connect Ed' system to contact our staff and families through emails and voice-mails."

By the time Arlington Police arrived on the scene of the robbery at 11:28 a.m., roughly one minute after it was reported, the robbery suspect had fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, according to the victim.

The suspect was described as a white woman in her late 40s to early 50s, wearing blue jeans and a black wool pea coat, with long, light brown hair with some gray in a ponytail, and likely has brown eyes. She stands between 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 5 feet, 8 inches tall, and weighs 120 pounds. She was described as skinny with a long, narrow face and an olive-toned complexion clear of any acne.

The suspect's whereabouts remain unknown at this time. Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Arlington Police Department Investigations Unit at 360-403-3400.

Contact Arlington Times Reporter Kirk Boxleitner at kboxleitner@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300 Ext. 5052.

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