Handcuff escapee had simply walked out

After 10 days on the lam, police quietly arrested a Spokane man Thursday who disappeared from a Public Safety Building interview room still handcuffed. Fred Nolan Jr., 27, was picked up by police about 6:45 p.m. near the corner of Sixth and Monroe, where he was spotted walking, police spokesman Dick Cottam said. Nolan was arrested Oct. 6 in connection with a series of business burglaries. Police said Nolan was still wearing handcuffs when officers left him alone in an interrogation room after the arrest. Officers believe Nolan put a jacket over his hands and walked away, Cottam said. The burglary suspect then sent a message two days after his escape by mailing the handcuffs back to police officer Jay Mehring, whose name was etched on the cuffs. A team of patrol officers and detectives quickly formed to find Nolan, police said. Nolan has 28 convictions, mostly for burglary, trespassing and possession of stolen property. He was booked into Spokane County Jail Thursday night, without bail, on five outstanding felony warrants for burglary and other crimes. More charges are pending, Cottam said.