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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Whatever happened to: Strollin’ Nolan

Police couldn't figure out how he did it.

In a Houdini-like disappearance 12 years ago, a handcuffed suspected burglar walked out of the interrogation room and out the door of the public safety building.

It was the first escape in 25 years, but what happened next was more amazing: the escapee mailed his handcuffs back to the public safety building in a story you can read here.

The stunt earned Fred. W. Nolan the nickname "Strollin' Nolan."

He explained himself to SR columnist Doug Clark (read the story here) and vowed to accept responsbility for his actions, but dozens criminal convictions and three stints in prison later, Nolan is back in the court system.

Court documents show a green Otter pop popsicle may help seal a conviction against the career criminal. Police found the popsicle wrapper with green liquid inside on the second floor of an office complex Nolan's charged with burglarizing.

"I further found green liquid in the other suites that had been entered," Officer Nicholas Gerene wrote in a probable cause affidavit. "I took the wrapper as evidence and submitted it for fingerprinting."

Police and jail staff also found prescription drugs in his pocket and underwear, Gerene wrote.

According to the affidavit, "Strollin' Nolan" broke into the Empire Health Services building at 601 W. Fifth Avenue about 8:50 a.m. on June 21.

He damaged an elevator and rummaged through suites before a security officer found him on the second floor, according to the affidavit.

He's charged with three counts of second-degree burglary for break ins at the offices of Deaconess Medical Center, OB/GYN Association of Spokane and Northwest Orthopedic Surgery and one count of malicious mischief for allegedly damagingng the elevator. He pleaded innocent to the charges July 7.

If Nolan is convicted and sent to prison, it would be his sixth stay at a Washington State Prison. Here's a list of his incarceration history, courtesy the Washington Department of Corrections:

11/13/1992 - 8/15/1994

03/02/1995 - 03/01/1997

04/23/1998 - 10/20/2001

07/31/2003 - 08/26/2003

07/28/2005 - 02/05/2009

Check out Nolan's criminal history here.

Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor David Stevens will be seeking aggravating circumstances for Nolan's current charges that could earn him a maximum 10 years in prison instead of the standard 51 to 68 months.



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