A 53-year-old man set off an intensive three-hour search by police Friday after he was spotted growling, performing martial arts moves and brandishing a machete outside a dollar store on Lake City Way.
Just before 11 AM, witnesses called police to report the bizarre spectacle. As officers were en route to the call, they were told the man had sheathed his machete, put it under his coat, and walked off.
Officers searched the neighborhood and checked inside several businesses, but weren’t able to locate the man. However, they continued their search throughout the afternoon.
About three hours later, just before 2 pm, police received a call from a woman who said she’d been parked in a lot near 125th and Lake City Way when a “wild-eyed” man pulled out a machete and pointed it at her.
The woman quickly sped away and called 911.
Officers found the man near 125th and Lake City Way, arrested him, and seized what one officer described as a “big machete.” Police intend to book the man into the King County Jail for a weapons violation, and are still looking for other victims the man may have threatened.