A high-drama arrest in a Tacoma parking lot has landed a 27-year-old man in the Pierce County Jail on a long list of felony charges, after investigators say he spent months targeting elderly women across the county.
Police allege the Tacoma man robbed older women of cash and purses, then tried to cap it off by ramming police vehicles during a takedown on Friday. He now faces dozens of counts that include robbery, identity theft and firearm-related offenses.
The Tacoma Police Department said in a news release that detectives had been investigating multiple reports of older women being approached and robbed. Officers tracked a suspect vehicle to the area of 121st Street and Meridian, where the driver pulled into the parking lot of a Cash America business.
According to the department, the man put on a balaclava and armed himself as officers moved in. Investigators say he then tried to get away by ramming police vehicles before he was stopped and taken into custody.
Court records and reporting by The News Tribune identify the suspect as Nathan Louis Smith, 27, and say a court commissioner set his bail at $1,500,000. An arraignment this week included a not-guilty plea entered on his behalf, according to the outlet. Prosecutors say the alleged robbery series began in October and continued into January, when investigators say they obtained the evidence that led to his arrest.
In its release, the Tacoma Police Department said Smith was booked into the Pierce County Jail on 47 counts in all. Those include multiple robbery and identity-theft charges, assault counts and firearm- and vehicle-related offenses, according to the department. Police also said they recovered unclaimed property they believe is connected to the alleged crime spree.
Legal Charges And Court Proceedings
Charging documents reviewed by The News Tribune list counts that include second-degree robbery, second-degree identity theft and second-degree assault, along with other felony and misdemeanor charges.
The paper, citing court records, also notes prior convictions for vehicle prowling, attempting to elude police and car theft. People who believe they may have been victimized in connection with the case are being asked to contact the Tacoma Police Department tip line at 253-830-6576, according to the reporting.
What Police Are Asking The Public
Investigators say they are still sorting through evidence and that additional charges could be filed as the case develops. Detectives are urging anyone with video, receipts or other information that might connect purchases or stolen property to the suspect to come forward.
Officers have stressed that the allegations remain just that until they are proven in court.
Smith remains in custody at the Pierce County Jail while the case moves forward. The investigation has sparked renewed concern among neighbors and service providers who work with older residents, with police responding by stepping up outreach and reminding seniors about common theft tactics.
