Two arrested after one threatens retail employee with a knife, police allege

Police arrested two people last night after a man reportedly stole from the Best Buy store in Lacey and then threatened a store employee with a knife.

One suspect was booked on suspicion of first-degree robbery and another was charged with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

The Lacey Police Department posted about the incident on their social media pages. According to the posts, officers were notified Tuesday night of a man who stole numerous items from Best Buy. A staff member confronted the man, who in turn allegedly threatened the staff member with a knife.

The man fled in a vehicle, but store staff members were able to see the plate number. They handed the plate number over to police, who found the vehicle registered to one of the suspect’s family members. Police then learned the suspect’s address from the family member.

Officers went to the address — in the 300 block of Trailblazer Street in Olympia, according to police arrest records — and arrested Michael J. Payne, 37, on suspicion of first-degree robbery. At that same address, police arrested Patrick O. Barlet, 30, on suspicion of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Both were booked into the Thurston County Jail.

The stolen items were recovered at the address, according to the police department’s social media.