By SABRA GERTSCH
TACOMA -- A meeting of magazine salesman at a hotel room on Monday night ended with two in the hospital and six others in jail.
Investigators say trouble began after the group gathered at a room at the Best Night Inn in Tacoma.
When two of the men announced they wanted out of the magazine-selling operation, they were beaten with baseball bats and golf clubs.
The attackers ran off, but just blocks away, police stopped a white SUV that didn't have its headlights on.
Police grew suspicious when one of the men inside the car lied about his name. When officers found that same person was armed with brass knuckles and a gun, all six men in the car were taken into custody.
What's more, the state Attorney General's Office says the men were not selling magazines.
Order forms for a company called Fresh Start Opportunities were found in the hotel room. Just a few weeks ago, the attorney general issued a second warning about a door-to-door scam involving a company by that name.
Fresh Start claims to give young adults a fresh start on life with the money consumers pay for magazine subscriptions. But people across the country reported getting no magazines for their donations ranging from $50 and $800.
The two victims' conditions were not known. The six men who were arrested have been booked into the Pierce County Jail.
Experienced legal counsel to cannabis businesses, entrepreneurs, and patients.
Seattle, Washington (206) 728-0200
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
'River Rat' robber trapped, jailed
KOMO-TV
A man suspected of being the notorious "River Rat Bandit," who has committed at least 18 armed robberies from Oregon to the Puget Sound, was arrested in Pierce County after he was identified through a fingerprint, police said.
An accomplice also was arrested in Portland, Ore., after he was implicated by the suspected bandit.
The River Rat Bandit is believed to be responsible for at least 18 armed robberies of banks and check-cashing businesses from late July until early October from Portland to Kent, netting an estimated $100,000.
In most of the bank robberies, the robber has displayed a black handgun and demanded cash. In several cases he leaped onto or over the teller counter to reach the money.
Police gave him the "River Rat" name because the robberies have taken place on both sides of the Columbia River. They say he is a 32-year-old Bonney Lake man with ties to the Portland area. His name was not immediately released.
Two of the robberies and one attempted robbery took place in Puyallup.
On Friday, detectives identified a fingerprint from one of the Puyallup robberies and staked out a residence near Bonney Lake that was associated with the suspect.
Surveillance units spotted the suspect at about 7:45 p.m. Friday as he arrived at the residence in a vehicle belonging to his girlfriend.
A Pierce County SWAT team apprehended the suspect on two arrest warrants for three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery as he was about to leave the residence in a vehicle at about 9:15 p.m.
He was later booked into Pierce County Jail.
During questioning by detectives, the suspected bandit implicated a possible accomplice who lives in the Portland area.
On Saturday afternoon, officers followed the suspected accomplice as he drove from Vancouver to Portland. He was arrested without incident near Northeast 138th and Halsey on an arrest warrant for five counts of robbery.
The suspected accomplice is a 35-year-old Portland man and is currently being held in the Multnomah County Jail.
Joining the Puyallup Police Department in the investigation were the FBI, the Auburn police, the Bonney Lake police, the Clark County Sheriff's Department, the Kent police, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, the Portland Police Bureau, the Puyallup tribal police, the Vancouver police, Metro SWAT team and Pierce County SWAT team.
A man suspected of being the notorious "River Rat Bandit," who has committed at least 18 armed robberies from Oregon to the Puget Sound, was arrested in Pierce County after he was identified through a fingerprint, police said.
An accomplice also was arrested in Portland, Ore., after he was implicated by the suspected bandit.
The River Rat Bandit is believed to be responsible for at least 18 armed robberies of banks and check-cashing businesses from late July until early October from Portland to Kent, netting an estimated $100,000.
In most of the bank robberies, the robber has displayed a black handgun and demanded cash. In several cases he leaped onto or over the teller counter to reach the money.
Police gave him the "River Rat" name because the robberies have taken place on both sides of the Columbia River. They say he is a 32-year-old Bonney Lake man with ties to the Portland area. His name was not immediately released.
Two of the robberies and one attempted robbery took place in Puyallup.
On Friday, detectives identified a fingerprint from one of the Puyallup robberies and staked out a residence near Bonney Lake that was associated with the suspect.
Surveillance units spotted the suspect at about 7:45 p.m. Friday as he arrived at the residence in a vehicle belonging to his girlfriend.
A Pierce County SWAT team apprehended the suspect on two arrest warrants for three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery as he was about to leave the residence in a vehicle at about 9:15 p.m.
He was later booked into Pierce County Jail.
During questioning by detectives, the suspected bandit implicated a possible accomplice who lives in the Portland area.
On Saturday afternoon, officers followed the suspected accomplice as he drove from Vancouver to Portland. He was arrested without incident near Northeast 138th and Halsey on an arrest warrant for five counts of robbery.
The suspected accomplice is a 35-year-old Portland man and is currently being held in the Multnomah County Jail.
Joining the Puyallup Police Department in the investigation were the FBI, the Auburn police, the Bonney Lake police, the Clark County Sheriff's Department, the Kent police, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, the Portland Police Bureau, the Puyallup tribal police, the Vancouver police, Metro SWAT team and Pierce County SWAT team.
Monday, October 5, 2009
By KOMO-TV
GRANITE FALLS, -- Dozens of law enforcement officers have converged on a wooded area here where a burglar who shot at deputies is believed to be hiding.
Officials said deputies were called to a home about 8 p.m. Sunday night when a man returning home from vacation found items missing from his house.
While deputies were investigating, the homeowner saw someone in the woods nearby with a flashlight. When deputies went to check it out one gun shot was fired from the woods.
Believing they were under fire, the deputies took cover and called for backup.
Police from multiple departments in Snohomish County, including a SWAT team from Everett, have converged on the area around the home in the 20800 block of Menzel Lake Road.
Officials said the terrain in the area is difficult to search and they are warning people in the area to make sure their doors, windows and cars are locked.
The burglary comes as officials investigate whether the crash of a stolen plane last week in Granite Falls may be the work of Colton Harris-Moore, a notorious burglar who has repeatedly eluded capture.
Officials at the scene of the burglary and shooting said they don't know whether the incident is the work of Harris-Moore.
GRANITE FALLS, -- Dozens of law enforcement officers have converged on a wooded area here where a burglar who shot at deputies is believed to be hiding.
Officials said deputies were called to a home about 8 p.m. Sunday night when a man returning home from vacation found items missing from his house.
While deputies were investigating, the homeowner saw someone in the woods nearby with a flashlight. When deputies went to check it out one gun shot was fired from the woods.
Believing they were under fire, the deputies took cover and called for backup.
Police from multiple departments in Snohomish County, including a SWAT team from Everett, have converged on the area around the home in the 20800 block of Menzel Lake Road.
Officials said the terrain in the area is difficult to search and they are warning people in the area to make sure their doors, windows and cars are locked.
The burglary comes as officials investigate whether the crash of a stolen plane last week in Granite Falls may be the work of Colton Harris-Moore, a notorious burglar who has repeatedly eluded capture.
Officials at the scene of the burglary and shooting said they don't know whether the incident is the work of Harris-Moore.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Everett limits conduct, but not attire of bikini baristas
By RAY LANE
KOMO-TV STAFF
The Everett City Council has voted to pass a tougher lewd behavior ordinance limiting conduct in public places.
However, the revision passed on Wednesday night does not address attire as some had hoped.
Area neighbors and business owners attended the meeting, hoping to convince the council to do away with bikini barista coffee stands in the wake of recent prostitution charges filed against five baristas at a local stand.
One shop owner even presented the council with home video reportedly taken around lunch time last week at the Grab-N-Go Espresso Stand where five baristas were charged with prostitution last week.
The footage showed young women dancing around, wearing pasties and underwear.
Residents said it's rude and crude behavior that needs to stop.
"Her bare butt is parading right in front of my business," said resident Rhonda Bremond.
The Everett City Council agreed to change its lewd conduct ordinance, saying such conduct should not be allowed in public places.
Many people cheered the move, but said more needs to be done.
"I have a right not to see women bare-breasted, licking whipped cream off each other's breasts and private parts, and men standing up and watching it," said Kris McLeod.
The next step will target what the women wearing, or in some cases, not wearing. Pasties and G-strings could become illegal in a place of business, outside a actual strip club.
Some area residents, especially parents, said they have to go out of their way to avoid driving by a questionable coffee stand.
"I do not walk around my house naked for my boy and their friends to see. And I do not, will not tolerate that in my neighborhood," said Jennifer Lindell.
A growing concern for neighbors is the possible presence of prostitution near their homes, and strange men hanging around the coffee stands.
"This is drifting into my home territory now. I don't want it. I want this to have stricter guidelines. Please protect our children, our neighborhoods," said Michelle Hills.
The city said the revised lewd conduct ordinance will take effect in about three weeks, after the city's legal department and the police figure out exactly how to enforce it.
KOMO-TV STAFF
The Everett City Council has voted to pass a tougher lewd behavior ordinance limiting conduct in public places.
However, the revision passed on Wednesday night does not address attire as some had hoped.
Area neighbors and business owners attended the meeting, hoping to convince the council to do away with bikini barista coffee stands in the wake of recent prostitution charges filed against five baristas at a local stand.
One shop owner even presented the council with home video reportedly taken around lunch time last week at the Grab-N-Go Espresso Stand where five baristas were charged with prostitution last week.
The footage showed young women dancing around, wearing pasties and underwear.
Residents said it's rude and crude behavior that needs to stop.
"Her bare butt is parading right in front of my business," said resident Rhonda Bremond.
The Everett City Council agreed to change its lewd conduct ordinance, saying such conduct should not be allowed in public places.
Many people cheered the move, but said more needs to be done.
"I have a right not to see women bare-breasted, licking whipped cream off each other's breasts and private parts, and men standing up and watching it," said Kris McLeod.
The next step will target what the women wearing, or in some cases, not wearing. Pasties and G-strings could become illegal in a place of business, outside a actual strip club.
Some area residents, especially parents, said they have to go out of their way to avoid driving by a questionable coffee stand.
"I do not walk around my house naked for my boy and their friends to see. And I do not, will not tolerate that in my neighborhood," said Jennifer Lindell.
A growing concern for neighbors is the possible presence of prostitution near their homes, and strange men hanging around the coffee stands.
"This is drifting into my home territory now. I don't want it. I want this to have stricter guidelines. Please protect our children, our neighborhoods," said Michelle Hills.
The city said the revised lewd conduct ordinance will take effect in about three weeks, after the city's legal department and the police figure out exactly how to enforce it.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Tacoma woman claims rape by armed man in uniform
KOMO-TV STAFF
A Tacoma woman says she was raped by someone who appeared to be a police officer or a security guard after getting pulled over while driving in South Tacoma on Saturday.
The 31-year-old woman said she was pulled over for a traffic stop near the Tacoma Mall some time between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. by a man who was wearing a uniform and carrying a gun.
The man was driving a silver, gray or white vehicle with a light in the window, the victim said.
The woman told detectives the man held her in the car for up to 9 hours and raped her.
On Sunday morning police interviewed the victim at Tacoma General Hospital where exams showed the probability of sexual activity having taken place. Doctors have not yet determined whether the woman had been raped, detectives said.
Police have no suspects in the case, and the investigation is ongoing.
A Tacoma woman says she was raped by someone who appeared to be a police officer or a security guard after getting pulled over while driving in South Tacoma on Saturday.
The 31-year-old woman said she was pulled over for a traffic stop near the Tacoma Mall some time between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. by a man who was wearing a uniform and carrying a gun.
The man was driving a silver, gray or white vehicle with a light in the window, the victim said.
The woman told detectives the man held her in the car for up to 9 hours and raped her.
On Sunday morning police interviewed the victim at Tacoma General Hospital where exams showed the probability of sexual activity having taken place. Doctors have not yet determined whether the woman had been raped, detectives said.
Police have no suspects in the case, and the investigation is ongoing.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Banker robbery suspect shot by cops dies
By KOMO-TV
A bank robbery suspect Federal Way police officers shot Thursday night has died.
Police spokesman Dave Colglazier said the man died overnight at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Investigators said the shooting occurred while officers were searching for a bank robbery suspect in the 2100 block of South 296th Street.
At around 7:20 p.m. they caught up with the suspect, 24-year-old Joel Crom, who threatened to kill the officers, prompting them to open fire, officials said.
Police said Crom is suspected of robbing a Sterling Savings Bank branch in August.
On August 24, a man walked into the bank at 1700 South 320th Street and handed the teller a note reading, "No alarms or else you die." The man didn't display a weapon and no injuries were reported.
The incident was captured by surveillance cameras, and police later identified the robber as Crom.
The two officers who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure during investigation into officer-involved shootings. The two are said to be a 3-year veteran and a 13-year veteran of the force.
Police Commander Christopher Norman said the man was perceived to be "obviously very dangerous" based on "the violence from the prior robbery and the threats he was making towards the officers at the time."
The Auburn Police Department is handling the investigation.
A bank robbery suspect Federal Way police officers shot Thursday night has died.
Police spokesman Dave Colglazier said the man died overnight at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Investigators said the shooting occurred while officers were searching for a bank robbery suspect in the 2100 block of South 296th Street.
At around 7:20 p.m. they caught up with the suspect, 24-year-old Joel Crom, who threatened to kill the officers, prompting them to open fire, officials said.
Police said Crom is suspected of robbing a Sterling Savings Bank branch in August.
On August 24, a man walked into the bank at 1700 South 320th Street and handed the teller a note reading, "No alarms or else you die." The man didn't display a weapon and no injuries were reported.
The incident was captured by surveillance cameras, and police later identified the robber as Crom.
The two officers who were involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure during investigation into officer-involved shootings. The two are said to be a 3-year veteran and a 13-year veteran of the force.
Police Commander Christopher Norman said the man was perceived to be "obviously very dangerous" based on "the violence from the prior robbery and the threats he was making towards the officers at the time."
The Auburn Police Department is handling the investigation.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Pot growing operation busted near Tiger Mt.
06:48 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 2, 2009
By MEG COYLE / KING 5 News
BELLEVUE, Wash. - Law enforcement officers today busted a major marijuana grow operation on Taylor Mountain, which is near Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah Alps.
Initial reports indicated a hiker tracking a bear spotted a plant two weeks ago. The Eastside Narcotics Task Force now says a helicopter spotted two major grows and SWAT team members located a smaller grow on the ground.
About 25,000 plants were harvested. Most of the plants taken were considered mature.
Today officers battled rough terrain, logs, downed trees and thick brush to harvest the plants. One operation was located about 300 yards off the road, and the other about a mile in.
"Often times the area is booby-trapped so we send in a SWAT team first to secure the area and make sure no one's hiding back there that may be armed," said Carla Iafrate, a spokesperson for the Eastside Narcotics Task Force.
Police say the plants were irrigated. A stream runs through the area where they were found.
Police say there is evidence to suggest two to four Mexican nationals are behind the operation.
"We located signs posted on trees and their encampment with the names of Mexican states, presumably their home states," said Iafrate.
They'd set up camp deep in the woods to watch over the crop. But investigators say it doesn't appear anyone's been in the area in about two weeks.
By MEG COYLE / KING 5 News
BELLEVUE, Wash. - Law enforcement officers today busted a major marijuana grow operation on Taylor Mountain, which is near Tiger Mountain in the Issaquah Alps.
Initial reports indicated a hiker tracking a bear spotted a plant two weeks ago. The Eastside Narcotics Task Force now says a helicopter spotted two major grows and SWAT team members located a smaller grow on the ground.
About 25,000 plants were harvested. Most of the plants taken were considered mature.
Today officers battled rough terrain, logs, downed trees and thick brush to harvest the plants. One operation was located about 300 yards off the road, and the other about a mile in.
"Often times the area is booby-trapped so we send in a SWAT team first to secure the area and make sure no one's hiding back there that may be armed," said Carla Iafrate, a spokesperson for the Eastside Narcotics Task Force.
Police say the plants were irrigated. A stream runs through the area where they were found.
Police say there is evidence to suggest two to four Mexican nationals are behind the operation.
"We located signs posted on trees and their encampment with the names of Mexican states, presumably their home states," said Iafrate.
They'd set up camp deep in the woods to watch over the crop. But investigators say it doesn't appear anyone's been in the area in about two weeks.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Notorious Kirkland man running for city post
By CASEY NORTON
KOMO-TV STAFF
Martin Morgan owes the city $20,000. He's on probation for assault. And he's running for a seat on the Kirkland City Council.
The controversial candidate has a long history with the city he wants to help lead.
Morgan's property is finally up to the city's standards. There are still run-down cars in the back and beer bottles in plain view. But the lot no longer houses any illegal eyesores neighbors can complain about.
"The guy is just a pain in the butt. He hordes and he maintains his property like trash," said neighbor Jess Paddie.
City inspectors say Morgan is the source of a string of ongoing complaints.
At one point, he had more than 11 junk cars and appliances peppering his yard. Two sheds were built on his property without permits.
As a result, Morgan ran up more than $20,000 in fines and eventually went to court to settle with the city.
"Our code enforcement allows us to assess per-day, per-violation fines, and he did accumulate quite a bit," said City spokesperson Marie Stake.
The city says Morgan has until 2016 to pay his fines.
Normally, city code violations are no big deal. But Morgan fought the city every step of the way. And now he's running for city council.
According to his Facebook page, Morgan is running on a platform of no new taxes. But his page mentions nothing about his lawsuits with the city or his conviction for assault, for which he is on probation until after the election.
Paddie says Morgan's assault conviction stemmed from a night when Morgan sprayed Paddie and his wife with a hose, then ran when police arrived.
"They actually chased him into the house and shot him with a Taser," said Paddie.
Morgan did not return KOMO News' calls or e-mails. But he told the Kirkland Reporter he pleaded guilty to assault in order to put the issue behind him. He said he believed the city inspectors had a vendetta against him.
Neighbors say Morgan's yard has improved since June, the same time he entered the council race. But the neighbors say Morgan doesn't have their vote.
"I don't even know who the other lady is, but she's got my vote," Paddie said.
KOMO-TV STAFF
Martin Morgan owes the city $20,000. He's on probation for assault. And he's running for a seat on the Kirkland City Council.
The controversial candidate has a long history with the city he wants to help lead.
Morgan's property is finally up to the city's standards. There are still run-down cars in the back and beer bottles in plain view. But the lot no longer houses any illegal eyesores neighbors can complain about.
"The guy is just a pain in the butt. He hordes and he maintains his property like trash," said neighbor Jess Paddie.
City inspectors say Morgan is the source of a string of ongoing complaints.
At one point, he had more than 11 junk cars and appliances peppering his yard. Two sheds were built on his property without permits.
As a result, Morgan ran up more than $20,000 in fines and eventually went to court to settle with the city.
"Our code enforcement allows us to assess per-day, per-violation fines, and he did accumulate quite a bit," said City spokesperson Marie Stake.
The city says Morgan has until 2016 to pay his fines.
Normally, city code violations are no big deal. But Morgan fought the city every step of the way. And now he's running for city council.
According to his Facebook page, Morgan is running on a platform of no new taxes. But his page mentions nothing about his lawsuits with the city or his conviction for assault, for which he is on probation until after the election.
Paddie says Morgan's assault conviction stemmed from a night when Morgan sprayed Paddie and his wife with a hose, then ran when police arrived.
"They actually chased him into the house and shot him with a Taser," said Paddie.
Morgan did not return KOMO News' calls or e-mails. But he told the Kirkland Reporter he pleaded guilty to assault in order to put the issue behind him. He said he believed the city inspectors had a vendetta against him.
Neighbors say Morgan's yard has improved since June, the same time he entered the council race. But the neighbors say Morgan doesn't have their vote.
"I don't even know who the other lady is, but she's got my vote," Paddie said.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
SWAT team called to save hijacked house
By CASEY NORTON
KOMO-TV STAFF
Sharon and Doug Larson were on their way back from the Oregon coast last week when neighbors told them a stranger had hijacked their house.
Neighbors called 911 when James Vanvolkenburg moved into the Larson's home Friday night, claiming the house belonged to him. Police officers who arrived said Vanvolkenburg's name was on the tax records, so they let him stay.
"He's there with this woman and their dog and my belongings, sleeping in my bed," Sharon said.
With help from her sister, Sharon went to the courthouse Monday morning and discovered that Vanvolkenburg may have tried to take advantage a foreclosure proceeding against her house.
Vanvolkenburg allegedly submitted his name six months ago as the taxpayer of record.
The county treasurer's office told her that all Vanvolkenburg did was fill out a form asking for tax statements on the house.
County officials told the Problem Solvers that the little piece of paper does not prove ownership, even if someone lived in a house for years.
"He's had history with the property," Sharon's sister said. "He used to live there years ago. He was evicted by his brother."
Sharon took the papers to the sheriff's office and made one more plea. Deputies promised to arrest Vanvolkenburg for trespassing.
"And maybe we will turn it into burglary if he went into the house and committed another crime there," sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said.
A SWAT team searched the home Monday evening but Vanvolkenburg was not inside. He left behind his dog and two trailers still parked on the property.
Sharon is packing up some of her possessions in case Vanvolkenburg comes back to the house, and the sheriff's office said deputies will be there tomorrow to keep watch while she moves out larger items.
The county said they receive about 21,000 taxpayer change of address requests each year and they've never had anything like this happen before.
KOMO-TV STAFF
Sharon and Doug Larson were on their way back from the Oregon coast last week when neighbors told them a stranger had hijacked their house.
Neighbors called 911 when James Vanvolkenburg moved into the Larson's home Friday night, claiming the house belonged to him. Police officers who arrived said Vanvolkenburg's name was on the tax records, so they let him stay.
"He's there with this woman and their dog and my belongings, sleeping in my bed," Sharon said.
With help from her sister, Sharon went to the courthouse Monday morning and discovered that Vanvolkenburg may have tried to take advantage a foreclosure proceeding against her house.
Vanvolkenburg allegedly submitted his name six months ago as the taxpayer of record.
The county treasurer's office told her that all Vanvolkenburg did was fill out a form asking for tax statements on the house.
County officials told the Problem Solvers that the little piece of paper does not prove ownership, even if someone lived in a house for years.
"He's had history with the property," Sharon's sister said. "He used to live there years ago. He was evicted by his brother."
Sharon took the papers to the sheriff's office and made one more plea. Deputies promised to arrest Vanvolkenburg for trespassing.
"And maybe we will turn it into burglary if he went into the house and committed another crime there," sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said.
A SWAT team searched the home Monday evening but Vanvolkenburg was not inside. He left behind his dog and two trailers still parked on the property.
Sharon is packing up some of her possessions in case Vanvolkenburg comes back to the house, and the sheriff's office said deputies will be there tomorrow to keep watch while she moves out larger items.
The county said they receive about 21,000 taxpayer change of address requests each year and they've never had anything like this happen before.
Friday, July 10, 2009
30 days for boy who killed woman he mistook for bear
By TRICIA MANNING-SMITH / KING 5 News
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A 15-year-old boy found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for shooting and killing a woman he mistook as a bear will spend 30 days in juvenile detention.
According to investigators, Tyler Kales, who was 14 at the time, was bear hunting with his older brother Aug. 2, 2008 on Sauk Mountain in rural Skagit County, near Rockport.
He says in the fog that shrouded the mountain that day, he mistook 54-year-old Pamela Almli for a bear and fired a shot. The bullet struck her in the head, killing her.
Kales was found guilty last month of second-degree manslaughter. The judge acquitted him of first-degree manslaughter, finding he did not act recklessly However, the judge said firing on an outline in the fog from 150 yards away wasn’t a hunting accident.
“You ignored and broke all the rules handling a gun,” said Gail Blacker, Almli’s sister, at Kales’ sentencing Thursday.
Almli was hiking with a friend on the Sauk Mountain trail when Kales’ bullet hit her.
“Imagine the horror of a friend killed before your eyes,” said Blacker.
Now, Almli's relatives struggle to answer her preschool-age grandkids’ difficult questions about the killing.
“(He) wants to get in his Buzz Lightyear outfit and fly to heaven and bring grandma back,” said Carrie Almli, Pamela’s daughter-in-law.
Kales also spoke before his sentencing.
“I can’t imagine what they go through every day or how they feel,” said Kales, with his voice trembling. “All I want to say is how sorry I am and hope they can forgive me.”
In addition to the juvenile detention, Kales will serve 12 months under supervision with counseling and perform 120 hours of community service. Forty of those hours must be spent teaching others about hunter safety.
The shooting compelled some to push for stricter gun laws in Washington state and others wanted new signs at trailheads to warn hikers of the danger. The Department of Fish and Wildlife says neither has happened.
Bear hunting season in most of Western Washington begins again Aug. 1.
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – A 15-year-old boy found guilty of second-degree manslaughter for shooting and killing a woman he mistook as a bear will spend 30 days in juvenile detention.
According to investigators, Tyler Kales, who was 14 at the time, was bear hunting with his older brother Aug. 2, 2008 on Sauk Mountain in rural Skagit County, near Rockport.
He says in the fog that shrouded the mountain that day, he mistook 54-year-old Pamela Almli for a bear and fired a shot. The bullet struck her in the head, killing her.
Kales was found guilty last month of second-degree manslaughter. The judge acquitted him of first-degree manslaughter, finding he did not act recklessly However, the judge said firing on an outline in the fog from 150 yards away wasn’t a hunting accident.
“You ignored and broke all the rules handling a gun,” said Gail Blacker, Almli’s sister, at Kales’ sentencing Thursday.
Almli was hiking with a friend on the Sauk Mountain trail when Kales’ bullet hit her.
“Imagine the horror of a friend killed before your eyes,” said Blacker.
Now, Almli's relatives struggle to answer her preschool-age grandkids’ difficult questions about the killing.
“(He) wants to get in his Buzz Lightyear outfit and fly to heaven and bring grandma back,” said Carrie Almli, Pamela’s daughter-in-law.
Kales also spoke before his sentencing.
“I can’t imagine what they go through every day or how they feel,” said Kales, with his voice trembling. “All I want to say is how sorry I am and hope they can forgive me.”
In addition to the juvenile detention, Kales will serve 12 months under supervision with counseling and perform 120 hours of community service. Forty of those hours must be spent teaching others about hunter safety.
The shooting compelled some to push for stricter gun laws in Washington state and others wanted new signs at trailheads to warn hikers of the danger. The Department of Fish and Wildlife says neither has happened.
Bear hunting season in most of Western Washington begins again Aug. 1.
Police shoot, kill man in northeast Spokane
Jim Camden / The Spokesman-Review
Spokane Police shot and killed a man after he stabbed an officer this morning in northeast Spokane, witnesses say.
The shooting, shortly before 9 a.m., occurred after police received reports of a man trying to break into one residence, then assaulting a woman after breaking into another residence, where he also stabbed a dog, according to investigators from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department.
The female officer who was stabbed is being treated at a local hospital, and the injured resident was taken to Holy Family Hospital. Investigators have not yet revealed their conditions. SpokAnimal is searching for the dog, a black pit bull, who ran away after being stabbed.
The events occurred over several blocks west-southwest of the Northeast Community Center, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, sheriff’s department spokesman.
The first call to police was from a woman in the 1200 block of East Gordon. She reported that a man with a skateboard was trying to kick in her door but had left without gaining entry.
Several minutes later, police received a report from the 1300 block of East Glass, where a woman said she had been hit by an intruder with a skateboard.
Michael Baesman was asleep in the basement of the house when he heard Tara Tanner, 34, yelling, “Michael, Michael, please come help me. There’s someone in the house.”
Baesman said when he got upstairs, a man he had never seen before pulled out a large knife, possibly a butcher or kitchen knife.
The man never said anything, even after Baesman asked what he was doing.
Baesman said he, Tanner and two others who were in the home ran into the fenced backyard.
When they tried to climb the fence, it broke and Tanner fell, cutting her leg, Baesman said.
While she was on the ground, the assailant beat her several times with his skateboard, Baesman said.
A black female pit bull then ran toward the assailant, who stabbed her in the back, according to owner Vince Smith, who is Tanner’s son and was one of the occupants of the house. He said Molly, who has white on her neck and chest, ran away. “I’m just hoping she’s all right,” Smith said.
The assailant then ran about five blocks down Courtland Avenue, just west of Napa, where police tried to stop a man walking down the street carrying a skateboard and a knife, Reagan said.
After the man stabbed the policewoman, officers shot him several times, Baesman said.
Investigators don’t yet know the man’s identity or age.
Details of the series of incidents are still unfolding. “It’s been kind of a crazy event,” Reagan said.
Al Piper, who lives with his wife about two blocks from where police confronted the suspect, said they heard a noise that sounded like firecrackers about 8:30 a.m. “The dogs went wild,” Piper said.
Candy Reichman, who lives across street from where the man was shot, said she was sitting in her living room and talking on the phone when she heard loud noises that she assumed were gunshots.
“I opened my front door and saw the body and hoped it was a Taser” that caused him to be on the ground, Reichman said.
Because it was an officer-involved shooting, Spokane police invoked the protocol that turns over the investigation to the sheriff’s department.
Get more news and information at Spokesman.com
Spokane Police shot and killed a man after he stabbed an officer this morning in northeast Spokane, witnesses say.
The shooting, shortly before 9 a.m., occurred after police received reports of a man trying to break into one residence, then assaulting a woman after breaking into another residence, where he also stabbed a dog, according to investigators from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Department.
The female officer who was stabbed is being treated at a local hospital, and the injured resident was taken to Holy Family Hospital. Investigators have not yet revealed their conditions. SpokAnimal is searching for the dog, a black pit bull, who ran away after being stabbed.
The events occurred over several blocks west-southwest of the Northeast Community Center, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, sheriff’s department spokesman.
The first call to police was from a woman in the 1200 block of East Gordon. She reported that a man with a skateboard was trying to kick in her door but had left without gaining entry.
Several minutes later, police received a report from the 1300 block of East Glass, where a woman said she had been hit by an intruder with a skateboard.
Michael Baesman was asleep in the basement of the house when he heard Tara Tanner, 34, yelling, “Michael, Michael, please come help me. There’s someone in the house.”
Baesman said when he got upstairs, a man he had never seen before pulled out a large knife, possibly a butcher or kitchen knife.
The man never said anything, even after Baesman asked what he was doing.
Baesman said he, Tanner and two others who were in the home ran into the fenced backyard.
When they tried to climb the fence, it broke and Tanner fell, cutting her leg, Baesman said.
While she was on the ground, the assailant beat her several times with his skateboard, Baesman said.
A black female pit bull then ran toward the assailant, who stabbed her in the back, according to owner Vince Smith, who is Tanner’s son and was one of the occupants of the house. He said Molly, who has white on her neck and chest, ran away. “I’m just hoping she’s all right,” Smith said.
The assailant then ran about five blocks down Courtland Avenue, just west of Napa, where police tried to stop a man walking down the street carrying a skateboard and a knife, Reagan said.
After the man stabbed the policewoman, officers shot him several times, Baesman said.
Investigators don’t yet know the man’s identity or age.
Details of the series of incidents are still unfolding. “It’s been kind of a crazy event,” Reagan said.
Al Piper, who lives with his wife about two blocks from where police confronted the suspect, said they heard a noise that sounded like firecrackers about 8:30 a.m. “The dogs went wild,” Piper said.
Candy Reichman, who lives across street from where the man was shot, said she was sitting in her living room and talking on the phone when she heard loud noises that she assumed were gunshots.
“I opened my front door and saw the body and hoped it was a Taser” that caused him to be on the ground, Reichman said.
Because it was an officer-involved shooting, Spokane police invoked the protocol that turns over the investigation to the sheriff’s department.
Get more news and information at Spokesman.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Men allegedly use rope, Buick to drag a bull
KOMO-TV STAFF
Two men are under arrest for using a rope and a Buick to drag a bull along a King County road Sunday afternoon.
Several 911 calls came flooding in around 4:30 from witnesses reporting a 1989 Buick Century was "dragging a cow with a rope" in the 4200 block of S. Star Lake Road near Auburn, said Sgt. John Urquhart with the King County Sheriff's Department.
When deputies arrived, they found the car with a rope around the bull's neck and tied around the car's window frame. The bull was lying flat on its stomach, with all four legs bloodied and spread outward.
Witnesses reported the bull was obviously in distress, strongly resisting as it was pulled down the street causing hoof and leg injuries, until it collapsed where deputies found it, Urquhart said.
The driver, 75-year-old Jonas Arnbrister, and 57-year-old passenger Terrance Neff told deputies they were moving the bull to another pasture and they always used the car-dragging method because "he is stubborn."
The passenger said the bull wasn't hurt and told the deputy, "You have to be like that with cows."
Urquhart says the bull finally stood up, obviously in pain, and was moved to a grassy shoulder.
Investigators determined based on the drag marks, the bull was dragged for about a half mile. They found one streak of blood stretched nearly 20 feet.
The bull was given pain medication and turned over to the Washington State Animal Response Team for safekeeping.
Both men were booked into the King County Jail for investigation of first-degree animal cruelty. Neff is being held on $15,000 bail while Arnbrister is being held on $10,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
Two men are under arrest for using a rope and a Buick to drag a bull along a King County road Sunday afternoon.
Several 911 calls came flooding in around 4:30 from witnesses reporting a 1989 Buick Century was "dragging a cow with a rope" in the 4200 block of S. Star Lake Road near Auburn, said Sgt. John Urquhart with the King County Sheriff's Department.
When deputies arrived, they found the car with a rope around the bull's neck and tied around the car's window frame. The bull was lying flat on its stomach, with all four legs bloodied and spread outward.
Witnesses reported the bull was obviously in distress, strongly resisting as it was pulled down the street causing hoof and leg injuries, until it collapsed where deputies found it, Urquhart said.
The driver, 75-year-old Jonas Arnbrister, and 57-year-old passenger Terrance Neff told deputies they were moving the bull to another pasture and they always used the car-dragging method because "he is stubborn."
The passenger said the bull wasn't hurt and told the deputy, "You have to be like that with cows."
Urquhart says the bull finally stood up, obviously in pain, and was moved to a grassy shoulder.
Investigators determined based on the drag marks, the bull was dragged for about a half mile. They found one streak of blood stretched nearly 20 feet.
The bull was given pain medication and turned over to the Washington State Animal Response Team for safekeeping.
Both men were booked into the King County Jail for investigation of first-degree animal cruelty. Neff is being held on $15,000 bail while Arnbrister is being held on $10,000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Officer dragged 50 feet by fleeing car
KOMO-TV STAFF
A police officer was dragged about 50 feet through a parking lot early Saturday when a car suddenly took off in reverse as the officer was trying to prevent the driver from escaping.
The incident took place just before 2 a.m. when the officer spotted the suspect driving recklessly through downtown in a blue Honda.
The officer pulled over the driver, who steered his car into a parking lot near First Avenue and Lenora Street.
As the officer got out to make contact with the driver, the Honda suddenly sped by the officer toward the parking lot's only exit, but the driver was blocked in by another patrol car.
The officer ran up and grabbed the driver to prevent his escape, but the driver suddenly reversed the car, dragging the officer about 50 feet.
The Honda struck a parked car, enabling the officer to disengage from the vehicle. The suspect then drove past the other patrol vehicle and fled the scene.
The suspect is still at large, and an investigation continues.
The officer was taken to an area hospital for an exam. He was sent home, suffering back pains.
A police officer was dragged about 50 feet through a parking lot early Saturday when a car suddenly took off in reverse as the officer was trying to prevent the driver from escaping.
The incident took place just before 2 a.m. when the officer spotted the suspect driving recklessly through downtown in a blue Honda.
The officer pulled over the driver, who steered his car into a parking lot near First Avenue and Lenora Street.
As the officer got out to make contact with the driver, the Honda suddenly sped by the officer toward the parking lot's only exit, but the driver was blocked in by another patrol car.
The officer ran up and grabbed the driver to prevent his escape, but the driver suddenly reversed the car, dragging the officer about 50 feet.
The Honda struck a parked car, enabling the officer to disengage from the vehicle. The suspect then drove past the other patrol vehicle and fled the scene.
The suspect is still at large, and an investigation continues.
The officer was taken to an area hospital for an exam. He was sent home, suffering back pains.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Coach pleads not guilty in kid-assisted burglary
KOMO-TV STAFF
EVERETT -- The Little League coach accused of coaching his own son, his nephew and a player on his team to burgle an abandoned shop faced a judge on Monday.
George Walter Spady, Jr. faces a second-degree burglary charge for the March 21 burglary of the shop in the 17000 block of 91st Avenue Northeast.
In court Spady only had two words to say: "Not guilty."
Outside the court, Spady's attorney, Keith Hall, insisted on his client's innocence.
"He's (Spady is) saying he's not guilty and he's just looking forward to his day in court when all of this can be discussed," Hall said. "He's raised money for these kids. He's done a lot so it's a bit of a shock to be in this glare when he's done so much positive over the years."
Investigators believe Spady used his own 12-year-old son, his nephew and a player from his team to break into a shop in Arlington and take several things.
Detectives said they first learned of the incident when a man came forward with a story his stepson had told him, according to the statement of probable cause.
The man's stepson later confirmed the story to investigators. The boy, who was upset over the incident, said his coach had taken him to the shop after picking him up to play with his son.
The boy said the coach's son crawled in through a vent in the back of the shop and unlocked the front door, as was instructed by his father.
He said the coach and the two other boys went in and came back out, holding overhead lights and some other items from the shop, according to the statement.
The coach yelled at the boy to grab some other things from the shop, the boy said, but he refused. The boy added his coach told him to hurry because he had seen a truck drive by the area twice, the document said.
When questioned by detectives, Spady said he had gone onto the property to go "four-wheeling" with the kids, according to the document. He said they later stopped by the shop and drove around for a bit.
Spady said he had not seen any of the several "no trespassing" signs posted around the property.
The coach admitted he and two of the boys had gone into the shop, but said the door had been unlocked. He said he didn't know whether his son had crawled in through a vent in the back.
The man eventually admitted to taking some overhead shop lights, but denied taking anything else. He turned over the lights to deputies.
Spady's history includes two adult misdemeanor convictions and four juvenile misdemeanor convictions. The Stilly Valley Little League has relieved him of his coaching duties.
His trial is set to begin on Sept. 11.
The kids will not be prosecuted.
EVERETT -- The Little League coach accused of coaching his own son, his nephew and a player on his team to burgle an abandoned shop faced a judge on Monday.
George Walter Spady, Jr. faces a second-degree burglary charge for the March 21 burglary of the shop in the 17000 block of 91st Avenue Northeast.
In court Spady only had two words to say: "Not guilty."
Outside the court, Spady's attorney, Keith Hall, insisted on his client's innocence.
"He's (Spady is) saying he's not guilty and he's just looking forward to his day in court when all of this can be discussed," Hall said. "He's raised money for these kids. He's done a lot so it's a bit of a shock to be in this glare when he's done so much positive over the years."
Investigators believe Spady used his own 12-year-old son, his nephew and a player from his team to break into a shop in Arlington and take several things.
Detectives said they first learned of the incident when a man came forward with a story his stepson had told him, according to the statement of probable cause.
The man's stepson later confirmed the story to investigators. The boy, who was upset over the incident, said his coach had taken him to the shop after picking him up to play with his son.
The boy said the coach's son crawled in through a vent in the back of the shop and unlocked the front door, as was instructed by his father.
He said the coach and the two other boys went in and came back out, holding overhead lights and some other items from the shop, according to the statement.
The coach yelled at the boy to grab some other things from the shop, the boy said, but he refused. The boy added his coach told him to hurry because he had seen a truck drive by the area twice, the document said.
When questioned by detectives, Spady said he had gone onto the property to go "four-wheeling" with the kids, according to the document. He said they later stopped by the shop and drove around for a bit.
Spady said he had not seen any of the several "no trespassing" signs posted around the property.
The coach admitted he and two of the boys had gone into the shop, but said the door had been unlocked. He said he didn't know whether his son had crawled in through a vent in the back.
The man eventually admitted to taking some overhead shop lights, but denied taking anything else. He turned over the lights to deputies.
Spady's history includes two adult misdemeanor convictions and four juvenile misdemeanor convictions. The Stilly Valley Little League has relieved him of his coaching duties.
His trial is set to begin on Sept. 11.
The kids will not be prosecuted.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Suit claims drivers charged excessive traffic camera fines
KING5.com Staff
SEATTLE – A class action lawsuit has been filed against 19 Washington cities, saying fines doled out to drivers caught on automatic red light and speed cameras are higher than the law allows.
Attorneys are basing the suit on a state law that was passed by the State Legislature in 2005. The law states “the amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.”
The attorneys contend the purpose of the camera law was to increase traffic safety, not to raise revenue.
Based on the law, the attorneys argue that if a city’s highest parking ticket is $40, that’s the most you can be fined if you are caught on an automatic traffic camera. But, most cities charge anywhere from $101 to $124 if you’re caught by a camera – the same as if an on duty officer had caught you themselves.
The cities named in the lawsuit are: Auburn; Bonney Lake; Bremerton; Burien; Federal Way; Fife; Issaquah; Lacey; Lake Forest Park; Lakewood; Lynnwood; Monroe; Moses Lake; Puyallup; Renton; SeaTac; Seattle; Spokane; and Tacoma.
The suit claims, in some cases, the cities are charging up to four times more than the law allows.
The law only allows cities to use the cameras at two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings and school speed zones.
The suit seeks restitution for anyone who has received an excessive fine in Washington and an injunction to stop assessing excess fines.
The case has been assigned to King County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell.
SEATTLE – A class action lawsuit has been filed against 19 Washington cities, saying fines doled out to drivers caught on automatic red light and speed cameras are higher than the law allows.
Attorneys are basing the suit on a state law that was passed by the State Legislature in 2005. The law states “the amount of the fine issued for an infraction generated through the use of an automated traffic safety camera shall not exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.”
The attorneys contend the purpose of the camera law was to increase traffic safety, not to raise revenue.
Based on the law, the attorneys argue that if a city’s highest parking ticket is $40, that’s the most you can be fined if you are caught on an automatic traffic camera. But, most cities charge anywhere from $101 to $124 if you’re caught by a camera – the same as if an on duty officer had caught you themselves.
The cities named in the lawsuit are: Auburn; Bonney Lake; Bremerton; Burien; Federal Way; Fife; Issaquah; Lacey; Lake Forest Park; Lakewood; Lynnwood; Monroe; Moses Lake; Puyallup; Renton; SeaTac; Seattle; Spokane; and Tacoma.
The suit claims, in some cases, the cities are charging up to four times more than the law allows.
The law only allows cities to use the cameras at two-arterial intersections, railroad crossings and school speed zones.
The suit seeks restitution for anyone who has received an excessive fine in Washington and an injunction to stop assessing excess fines.
The case has been assigned to King County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Ramsdell.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thief leaves trail of destruction after boosting car from airport
KOMO-TV STAFF
A man who investigators say stole a car from a family unloading luggage at Sea-Tac Airport smashed into seven police cars before finally being arrested Saturday evening.
The incident began just before 7 p.m. when the Cadillac Escalade was stolen from the departures drop off area at the airport.
The vehicle had an OnStar system installed, which allowed OnStar operators to track the SUV's location and direct sheriff's deputies to it.
When deputies caught up with the driver, he tried to speed away and hit multiple cars during the pursuit, including seven police cruisers.
King County sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said one officer suffered a minor injury in the chase, which finally came to an end when the thief lost control of the stolen SUV and flipped it on South 188th Street where the road passes under Interstate 5.
The vehicle rolled several times and caught fire, but the driver was not seriously injured.
"He'll be going to jail and then we've got a lot of cleanup to do," Urquhart said.
A man who investigators say stole a car from a family unloading luggage at Sea-Tac Airport smashed into seven police cars before finally being arrested Saturday evening.
The incident began just before 7 p.m. when the Cadillac Escalade was stolen from the departures drop off area at the airport.
The vehicle had an OnStar system installed, which allowed OnStar operators to track the SUV's location and direct sheriff's deputies to it.
When deputies caught up with the driver, he tried to speed away and hit multiple cars during the pursuit, including seven police cruisers.
King County sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said one officer suffered a minor injury in the chase, which finally came to an end when the thief lost control of the stolen SUV and flipped it on South 188th Street where the road passes under Interstate 5.
The vehicle rolled several times and caught fire, but the driver was not seriously injured.
"He'll be going to jail and then we've got a lot of cleanup to do," Urquhart said.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Man arrested in kidnapping, bloody assault
KOMO-TV STAFF
PORT ORCHARD -- A 24-year-old woman who had moved across the state to escape from her 38-year-old ex-boyfriend was kidnapped and beaten in a bloody assault Saturday morning after the boyfriend found her living with her grandparents.
The man later was arrested by Kitsap County sheriff's deputies after he fell asleep as he was beating the woman, enabling her to get away from him and flag down help.
Deputy Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said the woman's ordeal began at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when the ex-boyfriend showed up at her grandparents' house in Port Ludlow.
The young woman had moved there earlier from Pasco with her young son to get away from the ex-boyfriend, who is identified on the jail roster as Larry D. Buck.
When the ex-boyfriend showed up at her grandparents' place, he grabbed the woman and held a knife to her throat, threatening to harm her family if she didn't leave with him, Wilson said.
He forced her into his car, drove away, then beat her "into a mess," Wilson said. After that, the boyfriend headed south into Kitsap County and pulled over on SW Berry Lake Road, outside Port Orchard, to beat her again.
He fell asleep at about 5:45 a.m., enabling the woman to escape from the car, and run away.
She flagged down a newspaper delivery driver, who called 911 to report a woman covered in blood on the side of the road.
When deputies arrived, the suspect was still asleep. He claimed to have no idea why the woman was beaten, or why her clothes and bra were torn, Wilson said.
Buck was arrested and booked into Kitsap County jail for investigation of domestic violence kidnapping and assault. He is being held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The woman was taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for treatment of facial lacerations, bruising and possible facial fractures.
PORT ORCHARD -- A 24-year-old woman who had moved across the state to escape from her 38-year-old ex-boyfriend was kidnapped and beaten in a bloody assault Saturday morning after the boyfriend found her living with her grandparents.
The man later was arrested by Kitsap County sheriff's deputies after he fell asleep as he was beating the woman, enabling her to get away from him and flag down help.
Deputy Scott Wilson of the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office said the woman's ordeal began at about 2:30 a.m. Saturday when the ex-boyfriend showed up at her grandparents' house in Port Ludlow.
The young woman had moved there earlier from Pasco with her young son to get away from the ex-boyfriend, who is identified on the jail roster as Larry D. Buck.
When the ex-boyfriend showed up at her grandparents' place, he grabbed the woman and held a knife to her throat, threatening to harm her family if she didn't leave with him, Wilson said.
He forced her into his car, drove away, then beat her "into a mess," Wilson said. After that, the boyfriend headed south into Kitsap County and pulled over on SW Berry Lake Road, outside Port Orchard, to beat her again.
He fell asleep at about 5:45 a.m., enabling the woman to escape from the car, and run away.
She flagged down a newspaper delivery driver, who called 911 to report a woman covered in blood on the side of the road.
When deputies arrived, the suspect was still asleep. He claimed to have no idea why the woman was beaten, or why her clothes and bra were torn, Wilson said.
Buck was arrested and booked into Kitsap County jail for investigation of domestic violence kidnapping and assault. He is being held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
The woman was taken to Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton for treatment of facial lacerations, bruising and possible facial fractures.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Man found dead after Renton gunfight
KOMO STAFF
RENTON -- Officers responding to a report of a gunfight early Saturday found a man's body with gunshot wounds near Lake Washington. A 29-year-old suspect was arrested later a few blocks away at a local motel, Renton police said.
Officers rushed to the scene of the shooting, in the 4400 block of Lake Washington Boulevard, at about 2:35 a.m., after receiving a call about a fight involving gunfire.
When officers arrived, the found a 31-year-old man dead from apparent gunshot wounds, said Cmdr. Floyd Eldridge with the Renton Police Department's Investigations Division.
The gunman was gone when officers arrived. Police say it appeared he drove away in the victim's car.
The suspect was later found at a local motel in the 4700 block of Lake Washington Boulevard and taken into custody at about 9 a.m.
The victim's car is still missing. It is described as a white 1993 Honda Accord four-door, license number 223PVK. Also missing is the gun used in the shooting.
No further details were available about the arrest or the circumstances that led to the gunshots. But Eldridge said officers have determined it was not a random shooting, and that the gunman and victim knew each other. The two had agreed to meet at a pre-arranged time and location.
The Renton Police Department's Investigations Division and Special Operations Divisions are investigating the case.
RENTON -- Officers responding to a report of a gunfight early Saturday found a man's body with gunshot wounds near Lake Washington. A 29-year-old suspect was arrested later a few blocks away at a local motel, Renton police said.
Officers rushed to the scene of the shooting, in the 4400 block of Lake Washington Boulevard, at about 2:35 a.m., after receiving a call about a fight involving gunfire.
When officers arrived, the found a 31-year-old man dead from apparent gunshot wounds, said Cmdr. Floyd Eldridge with the Renton Police Department's Investigations Division.
The gunman was gone when officers arrived. Police say it appeared he drove away in the victim's car.
The suspect was later found at a local motel in the 4700 block of Lake Washington Boulevard and taken into custody at about 9 a.m.
The victim's car is still missing. It is described as a white 1993 Honda Accord four-door, license number 223PVK. Also missing is the gun used in the shooting.
No further details were available about the arrest or the circumstances that led to the gunshots. But Eldridge said officers have determined it was not a random shooting, and that the gunman and victim knew each other. The two had agreed to meet at a pre-arranged time and location.
The Renton Police Department's Investigations Division and Special Operations Divisions are investigating the case.
Federal Way sets up camera net to fight crime
Federal Way police are watching the city with 27 remotely controlled cameras to monitor trouble spots, catch crimes in action and record evidence to convict criminals.
By STEVE MAYNARD
The News Tribune
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. —
Federal Way police are watching the city with 27 remotely controlled cameras to monitor trouble spots, catch crimes in action and record evidence to convict criminals.
The new digital tool for fighting crime is like having multiple eyes over the city's downtown. With the click of a mouse, each camera can pan, tilt and zoom from street lights and buildings. High-resolution images zero in on license plates on suspects' vehicles.
At the police station in City Hall, volunteers are learning to look at the live images for suspicious activity, such as car prowls. They use two computer screens and a 40-inch flat screen television.
Meanwhile, officers in their patrol cars are watching the cameras' images on their laptops.
Lt. Sandy Tudor coordinates the project for the police.
"We want the bad guys to know they're monitored in Federal Way so they can take their crime elsewhere," Tudor said.
Critics say the cameras are a step toward an Orwellian "surveillance society," while supporters say the system will yield results and already has.
It has led to an assault conviction, determining the cause of a serious traffic accident, and identifying a bank robber's SUV.
The program, called Safe City, was pieced together over several months. It also aims to link businesses so they can alert one another to crimes. One purpose of a public launch event this week is to draw support from businesses.
The $285,000 project is funded by a $100,000 grant from the Target Corp. and money from the city of Federal Way. The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce is also a program partner.
Similar Safe City projects have been launched in more than 20 communities across the country, but Federal Way is the first city in the Northwest.
"I think it's fantastic," said Officer Eric Mattson. "This is the way we're going to be able to provide security in high-crime areas 24 hours a day.
"It's going to help us catch criminals," Mattson said. "It's going to keep our downtown corridor safer."
Images from the 35-power zoom cameras are recorded around the clock, seven days a week. Unless police choose to save recordings, they are erased after seven days.
The recordings will provide evidence for prosecuting the range of crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies. "It should make cases very strong," Tudor said.
Police are only using the cameras to view what the public already can see from public areas, in line with the department's policy protecting privacy rights, Tudor said.
But the ACLU of Washington does not favor police camera surveillance systems, such as Federal Way's.
"Programs that have police cameras recording what people do on sidewalks move us closer to a surveillance society," said Doug Honig, communications director for the ACLU of Washington.
"Certainly I can understand the importance of dealing with crime problems, but research has shown such cameras are not effective in dealing with crime," said Honig, referring to studies of surveillance camera systems in New York and Britain.
"What they do is move crimes around to areas outside the eyes of the cameras."
Tudor said police believe the cameras will deter bad behavior by exposing crimes in progress, helping prosecutions, and preventing camera-wary criminals from attempting to break the law.
Lottie Kinney, one of about 10 volunteers who have signed up to monitor the cameras at the Federal Way police station, learned what to look for last week. The team of volunteers will monitor the images about 20 hours a week.
"It lets me learn more about my city," Kinney said. "It helps the officers locate the bad guys."
The cameras are Web-based, but don't expect to see the feeds on a public Internet connection any time soon. Tudor said they can only be accessed on the city's network, which contains sensitive police information.
She said viewing is also limited to trained volunteers and police to protect against violations of privacy.
Nearly all of the cameras are located in the downtown area, aimed at businesses including banks and The Commons shopping mall.
One camera already targets the Federal Way Transit Center from across 23rd Avenue South. Sound Transit plans to add three more cameras on transit center property in the next two months; they will be part of the Safe City system. By September, Sound Transit plans to upgrade 30 of its 50 cameras at the center.
The transit center has been the scene of at least three violent crimes in the past 18 months a beating, stabbing and fatal shooting. The quality of the transit center' security cameras was called into question as a result of the shooting.
In January 2008, Darrel Miller, 38, was shot and killed while crossing a bus lane. Glenn C. Proctor was charged with second-degree murder, partly based on grainy video from the transit center' cameras. Proctor was released 11 months later when charges were dropped after forensic analysis of that surveillance video provided by Proctor' lawyers determined he wasn't the shooter.
While parked on patrol at the transit center, Mattson already has used the new system to watch for suspicious activity.
He said he believes the cameras will deter crime at the transit center and elsewhere.
If people know they're going to get caught on video committing a crime, Mattson said, "you're going to think twice about committing that crime, especially within the city of Federal Way."
---
Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
By STEVE MAYNARD
The News Tribune
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. —
Federal Way police are watching the city with 27 remotely controlled cameras to monitor trouble spots, catch crimes in action and record evidence to convict criminals.
The new digital tool for fighting crime is like having multiple eyes over the city's downtown. With the click of a mouse, each camera can pan, tilt and zoom from street lights and buildings. High-resolution images zero in on license plates on suspects' vehicles.
At the police station in City Hall, volunteers are learning to look at the live images for suspicious activity, such as car prowls. They use two computer screens and a 40-inch flat screen television.
Meanwhile, officers in their patrol cars are watching the cameras' images on their laptops.
Lt. Sandy Tudor coordinates the project for the police.
"We want the bad guys to know they're monitored in Federal Way so they can take their crime elsewhere," Tudor said.
Critics say the cameras are a step toward an Orwellian "surveillance society," while supporters say the system will yield results and already has.
It has led to an assault conviction, determining the cause of a serious traffic accident, and identifying a bank robber's SUV.
The program, called Safe City, was pieced together over several months. It also aims to link businesses so they can alert one another to crimes. One purpose of a public launch event this week is to draw support from businesses.
The $285,000 project is funded by a $100,000 grant from the Target Corp. and money from the city of Federal Way. The Federal Way Chamber of Commerce is also a program partner.
Similar Safe City projects have been launched in more than 20 communities across the country, but Federal Way is the first city in the Northwest.
"I think it's fantastic," said Officer Eric Mattson. "This is the way we're going to be able to provide security in high-crime areas 24 hours a day.
"It's going to help us catch criminals," Mattson said. "It's going to keep our downtown corridor safer."
Images from the 35-power zoom cameras are recorded around the clock, seven days a week. Unless police choose to save recordings, they are erased after seven days.
The recordings will provide evidence for prosecuting the range of crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies. "It should make cases very strong," Tudor said.
Police are only using the cameras to view what the public already can see from public areas, in line with the department's policy protecting privacy rights, Tudor said.
But the ACLU of Washington does not favor police camera surveillance systems, such as Federal Way's.
"Programs that have police cameras recording what people do on sidewalks move us closer to a surveillance society," said Doug Honig, communications director for the ACLU of Washington.
"Certainly I can understand the importance of dealing with crime problems, but research has shown such cameras are not effective in dealing with crime," said Honig, referring to studies of surveillance camera systems in New York and Britain.
"What they do is move crimes around to areas outside the eyes of the cameras."
Tudor said police believe the cameras will deter bad behavior by exposing crimes in progress, helping prosecutions, and preventing camera-wary criminals from attempting to break the law.
Lottie Kinney, one of about 10 volunteers who have signed up to monitor the cameras at the Federal Way police station, learned what to look for last week. The team of volunteers will monitor the images about 20 hours a week.
"It lets me learn more about my city," Kinney said. "It helps the officers locate the bad guys."
The cameras are Web-based, but don't expect to see the feeds on a public Internet connection any time soon. Tudor said they can only be accessed on the city's network, which contains sensitive police information.
She said viewing is also limited to trained volunteers and police to protect against violations of privacy.
Nearly all of the cameras are located in the downtown area, aimed at businesses including banks and The Commons shopping mall.
One camera already targets the Federal Way Transit Center from across 23rd Avenue South. Sound Transit plans to add three more cameras on transit center property in the next two months; they will be part of the Safe City system. By September, Sound Transit plans to upgrade 30 of its 50 cameras at the center.
The transit center has been the scene of at least three violent crimes in the past 18 months a beating, stabbing and fatal shooting. The quality of the transit center' security cameras was called into question as a result of the shooting.
In January 2008, Darrel Miller, 38, was shot and killed while crossing a bus lane. Glenn C. Proctor was charged with second-degree murder, partly based on grainy video from the transit center' cameras. Proctor was released 11 months later when charges were dropped after forensic analysis of that surveillance video provided by Proctor' lawyers determined he wasn't the shooter.
While parked on patrol at the transit center, Mattson already has used the new system to watch for suspicious activity.
He said he believes the cameras will deter crime at the transit center and elsewhere.
If people know they're going to get caught on video committing a crime, Mattson said, "you're going to think twice about committing that crime, especially within the city of Federal Way."
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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Herald: Burglary and indecent exposure arrest in Edmonds; Man looking for Jennifer Aniston
Posted by Nick Provenza
He went looking for a Hollywood actress, breaking into homes in Edmonds early Saturday and taking off his clothes, The Herald in Everett reports today.
Police believe the Bremerton man, 35, was drunk when he slipped into a 15-year-old girl's bedroom, took off his pants and said he was looking for celebrity Jennifer Aniston, a star of the popular NBC series "Friends."
Officers caught up with the man about 6:30 a.m. at a home near the intersection of 86th Avenue W. and 224th Street SW, according to a police affidavit filed Monday in Everett District Court.
After waking the girl up, the man allegedly sat down on her bed and started taking off his clothes, the report said. The girl kicked him away and then dialed 911. He went outside and waited for police on the home's front steps.
The girl wasn't physically injured.
Snohomish County deputies learned there had been two previous break-ins that morning in the same area, the report said.
A man with a similar description had been seen naked in a nearby house about 5:15 a.m. The people who lived there told the deputies they were "offended and affronted" by the naked man, the report said. They identified the man deputies arrested as the same person who bared all in their home.
The report doesn't say why the man believed he'd find Aniston in Edmonds.
The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of residential burglary and indecent exposure.
He went looking for a Hollywood actress, breaking into homes in Edmonds early Saturday and taking off his clothes, The Herald in Everett reports today.
Police believe the Bremerton man, 35, was drunk when he slipped into a 15-year-old girl's bedroom, took off his pants and said he was looking for celebrity Jennifer Aniston, a star of the popular NBC series "Friends."
Officers caught up with the man about 6:30 a.m. at a home near the intersection of 86th Avenue W. and 224th Street SW, according to a police affidavit filed Monday in Everett District Court.
After waking the girl up, the man allegedly sat down on her bed and started taking off his clothes, the report said. The girl kicked him away and then dialed 911. He went outside and waited for police on the home's front steps.
The girl wasn't physically injured.
Snohomish County deputies learned there had been two previous break-ins that morning in the same area, the report said.
A man with a similar description had been seen naked in a nearby house about 5:15 a.m. The people who lived there told the deputies they were "offended and affronted" by the naked man, the report said. They identified the man deputies arrested as the same person who bared all in their home.
The report doesn't say why the man believed he'd find Aniston in Edmonds.
The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of residential burglary and indecent exposure.
Courthouse security beefed up after gang brawl
Posted by Jennifer Sullivan
The first day of a trial Monday in an alleged gang slaying resulted in at least one arrest after a fight broke out inside the King County Courthouse.
The fisticuffs started after Seattle police showed up at the King County Courthouse to arrest a man wanted on an outstanding warrant. Police knew the suspect would be attending the trial of Omar Ali Norman, who claims to be the founder of Seattle's Low Profile street gang. Norman is on trial for first-degree murder with a firearm.
When police arrested the suspect in a third-floor courthouse hallway, members of a rival gang started heckling him, authorities said. Punches were thrown between rival gang members and additional officers were called to the courthouse.
Reports on the number of people arrested after the brawl have ranged from one to three. The courtroom has been packed with Low Profile members, there to support Norman, and members of the rival Deuce 8 gang.
Paul Sherfy, chief administrative officer for King County Superior Court, said that no building entrances were shut down, but the police presence was noticeable. Sherfy said three additional court security officers have been assigned to Superior Court Judge Regina Cahan's courtroom because of the fight.
Attorneys are still sorting out pre-trial motions in Norman's case. Opening statements in the case are likely to be next week. The trial is slated to last at least a month.
Norman is accused of killing Terrell Milam, 32, on Oct. 17, 2005. Among the evidence that linked Norman to the case through was DNA found on a cigarette butt and a shell casing found near Milam's body, according to court papers. Milam was a head of the Deuce 8 gang, prosecutors said.
On the night before his slaying, Milam reportedly got into a fight with former Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin outside a nightclub. Hamlin was struck with a metal street sign suffered a fractured skull and broken hand that caused him to miss the rest of the 2005 season. Hamlin now plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
At the time, Milam was supposed to be under a 9 p.m. curfew in a federal halfway house in Seattle, but he and other detainees were apparently able get out of the house at night by either bribing someone or leaving a dummy in their beds.
The first day of a trial Monday in an alleged gang slaying resulted in at least one arrest after a fight broke out inside the King County Courthouse.
The fisticuffs started after Seattle police showed up at the King County Courthouse to arrest a man wanted on an outstanding warrant. Police knew the suspect would be attending the trial of Omar Ali Norman, who claims to be the founder of Seattle's Low Profile street gang. Norman is on trial for first-degree murder with a firearm.
When police arrested the suspect in a third-floor courthouse hallway, members of a rival gang started heckling him, authorities said. Punches were thrown between rival gang members and additional officers were called to the courthouse.
Reports on the number of people arrested after the brawl have ranged from one to three. The courtroom has been packed with Low Profile members, there to support Norman, and members of the rival Deuce 8 gang.
Paul Sherfy, chief administrative officer for King County Superior Court, said that no building entrances were shut down, but the police presence was noticeable. Sherfy said three additional court security officers have been assigned to Superior Court Judge Regina Cahan's courtroom because of the fight.
Attorneys are still sorting out pre-trial motions in Norman's case. Opening statements in the case are likely to be next week. The trial is slated to last at least a month.
Norman is accused of killing Terrell Milam, 32, on Oct. 17, 2005. Among the evidence that linked Norman to the case through was DNA found on a cigarette butt and a shell casing found near Milam's body, according to court papers. Milam was a head of the Deuce 8 gang, prosecutors said.
On the night before his slaying, Milam reportedly got into a fight with former Seahawks safety Ken Hamlin outside a nightclub. Hamlin was struck with a metal street sign suffered a fractured skull and broken hand that caused him to miss the rest of the 2005 season. Hamlin now plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
At the time, Milam was supposed to be under a 9 p.m. curfew in a federal halfway house in Seattle, but he and other detainees were apparently able get out of the house at night by either bribing someone or leaving a dummy in their beds.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Cops seek gunman, victim in armed kidnapping
KOMO-TV STAFF
FEDERAL WAY -- Sheriff's detectives are looking for an armed robber who held up a convenience store at gunpoint, then dragged a female customer from the counter and out to the parking lot before releasing her.
The woman was released unharmed, then left the scene. But detectives still need to talk with her because she is legally considered a kidnapping victim and may be able to help solve the case, said John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff's Office.
The incident happened at about 2:25 a.m. Wednesday at the 7-Eleven located at 34051 Military Road South, east of Federal Way.
The robber held the clerk at gunpoint and forced her to empty two cash registers as the customer, standing at the counter, looked on.
When the robber left he grabbed the customer around the neck in a choke hold, pistol in his other hand, and dragged her out of the business, Urquhart said.
The woman was pulled most of the way across the parking lot before she was released. The suspect ran off, and the woman did not come back into the store.
Detectives say this goes way beyond the typical convenience store robbery.
"This was more than, you know, I've got a gun in my pants or my pocket or something," Urquhart said. "He had the gun out, threatened her with it, made her empty both cash drawers. So it's two or three steps above a lot of the robberies we get - and then way above, from the standpoint of grabbing this woman around the neck."
The gunman was described as an Asian or Pacific Islander, about 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighing over 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue baseball hat, black sunglasses, a dark sweatshirt, dark pants, and black gloves. He was about 25 years old.
The kidnapping victim is also about 25 years old, perhaps 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds.
Anyone who recognizes either the suspect or the victim is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 or 911.
FEDERAL WAY -- Sheriff's detectives are looking for an armed robber who held up a convenience store at gunpoint, then dragged a female customer from the counter and out to the parking lot before releasing her.
The woman was released unharmed, then left the scene. But detectives still need to talk with her because she is legally considered a kidnapping victim and may be able to help solve the case, said John Urquhart of the King County Sheriff's Office.
The incident happened at about 2:25 a.m. Wednesday at the 7-Eleven located at 34051 Military Road South, east of Federal Way.
The robber held the clerk at gunpoint and forced her to empty two cash registers as the customer, standing at the counter, looked on.
When the robber left he grabbed the customer around the neck in a choke hold, pistol in his other hand, and dragged her out of the business, Urquhart said.
The woman was pulled most of the way across the parking lot before she was released. The suspect ran off, and the woman did not come back into the store.
Detectives say this goes way beyond the typical convenience store robbery.
"This was more than, you know, I've got a gun in my pants or my pocket or something," Urquhart said. "He had the gun out, threatened her with it, made her empty both cash drawers. So it's two or three steps above a lot of the robberies we get - and then way above, from the standpoint of grabbing this woman around the neck."
The gunman was described as an Asian or Pacific Islander, about 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighing over 200 pounds. He was wearing a blue baseball hat, black sunglasses, a dark sweatshirt, dark pants, and black gloves. He was about 25 years old.
The kidnapping victim is also about 25 years old, perhaps 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds.
Anyone who recognizes either the suspect or the victim is asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at (206) 296-3311 or 911.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Death threats against deputy prosecutor
By ROB PIERCY / KING 5 News
EVERETT, Wash. – An Everett man is accused of threatening to kill a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor. Investigators say 46-year-old Jim Swanson made the threats over the phone and via e-mail.
When Swanson was in the midst of a divorce, his estranged wife accused him of a sex crime. Deputy Prosecutor Laura Twitchell declined to charge Swanson.
That’s when Jim wanted prosecutors to turn the tables on his ex.
KING 5 North Bureau
"He wanted to have counter charges of slander, defamation of character,” said Jim’s bother, George.
When that didn’t happen, George says his brother went into a spiral of anger and depression. In late January, Jim called the prosecutor’s office and allegedly threatened Twitchell’s life. He followed up with an e-mail.
“I don't think he's, um, serious about any kind of threats. I think his threats were taken out of context, if they were threats at all,” said George.
In the e-mail sent to Twitchell March 14, Jim Swanson reportedly wrote, "Hunting season (is) coming up and what am I to do eh? You have all my firearm's (sic) well I have a remidie (sic) for that. Don't worry this won't last much longer."
Later, the e-mail allegedly says, "You can't touch me and I can't touch you. well that might not last much longer. Remember I'am (sic) Volitale (sic), Voilent (sic) and a Loose Cannon!"
The message ends with, "No I am cold and calculating."
If they weren’t listening before, they are now.
"I think it just shows the level of frustration people can have when justice seems to be lopsided,” said Swanson’s brother, George. He says all his brother wanted was for someone to listen.
"And he was, in his words, trying to get someone to hear him. Trying to get someone's attention,” said George.
Jim Swanson is charged with cyberstalking. He’s being held on $100,000 bail.
Snohomish County has handed prosecution of the case over to Skagit County to avoid any conflict of interest.
EVERETT, Wash. – An Everett man is accused of threatening to kill a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor. Investigators say 46-year-old Jim Swanson made the threats over the phone and via e-mail.
When Swanson was in the midst of a divorce, his estranged wife accused him of a sex crime. Deputy Prosecutor Laura Twitchell declined to charge Swanson.
That’s when Jim wanted prosecutors to turn the tables on his ex.
KING 5 North Bureau
"He wanted to have counter charges of slander, defamation of character,” said Jim’s bother, George.
When that didn’t happen, George says his brother went into a spiral of anger and depression. In late January, Jim called the prosecutor’s office and allegedly threatened Twitchell’s life. He followed up with an e-mail.
“I don't think he's, um, serious about any kind of threats. I think his threats were taken out of context, if they were threats at all,” said George.
In the e-mail sent to Twitchell March 14, Jim Swanson reportedly wrote, "Hunting season (is) coming up and what am I to do eh? You have all my firearm's (sic) well I have a remidie (sic) for that. Don't worry this won't last much longer."
Later, the e-mail allegedly says, "You can't touch me and I can't touch you. well that might not last much longer. Remember I'am (sic) Volitale (sic), Voilent (sic) and a Loose Cannon!"
The message ends with, "No I am cold and calculating."
If they weren’t listening before, they are now.
"I think it just shows the level of frustration people can have when justice seems to be lopsided,” said Swanson’s brother, George. He says all his brother wanted was for someone to listen.
"And he was, in his words, trying to get someone to hear him. Trying to get someone's attention,” said George.
Jim Swanson is charged with cyberstalking. He’s being held on $100,000 bail.
Snohomish County has handed prosecution of the case over to Skagit County to avoid any conflict of interest.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Grade school teacher convicted of raping student
A former grade school teacher was convicted Monday of abducting one of her students, age 10, and raping him and his 15-year-old brother.
TACOMA, Wash. —
A former grade school teacher was convicted Monday of abducting one of her students, age 10, and raping him and his 15-year-old brother.
Both sides stipulated the facts in Pierce County Superior Court, and Judge D. Gary Steiner convicted 33-year-old Jennifer Leigh Rice of first-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation, first-degree child molesting and two counts of third-degree child rape.
Facing more than 25 years in prison, Rice remains in jail pending sentencing June 5.
The judge found that Rice took a 10-year-old student she taught in her first year at McKinley Elementary School from his home in Tacoma, drove more than 100 miles and had sex with him at a rest area on Interstate 90 on Aug. 11, 2007. She also was convicted of having sex with his 15-year-old brother in the previous month.
According to court records, the boys' father told investigators that Rice showered his younger son with attention until about July 2007, when she was told to stop coming to the house.
After her arrest, Rice said she'd had sex with the boy four or five times previously, including once when she sneaked into his house while his parents were asleep, according to a police affidavit.
No details on her relationship with the older boy were provided except that he was not one of her students.
The News Tribune of Tacoma reported previously that Rice resigned from earlier jobs teaching Spanish at Spanaway Lake High in the suburban Bethel School District and as a second-grade teacher at Southworth Elementary in Yelm, between Tacoma and Olympia, both when her professional judgment was questioned after a year on the job.
The high school job was in 1998-99 and the grade school job was in 2005-06. It was not immediately clear what Rice did between those two jobs.
Bethel spokesman Mark Wenzel said she left in 1999 after administrators became concerned about unspecified procedural matters that were not "egregious" involving an after-school Spanish club.
Former Yelm Superintendent Alan M. Burke said Rice quit in 2006 after learning her contract would not be renewed because of concerns about classroom management, relationships with colleagues and disciplinary issues, including a report that she let some members of an after-school Spanish club vote on whether other members should stay in the club.
"We don't generally allow students to vote other students off the island," Burke said.
Six months after taking the job at McKinley, Rice was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into reports of inappropriate socializing with students outside school hours, Tacoma schools spokeswoman Leanna Albrecht said.
Investigators found no evidence of sexual misconduct, but because of other unspecified findings her contract was allowed to lapse at the end of the year, Albrecht said.
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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
TACOMA, Wash. —
A former grade school teacher was convicted Monday of abducting one of her students, age 10, and raping him and his 15-year-old brother.
Both sides stipulated the facts in Pierce County Superior Court, and Judge D. Gary Steiner convicted 33-year-old Jennifer Leigh Rice of first-degree kidnapping with sexual motivation, first-degree child molesting and two counts of third-degree child rape.
Facing more than 25 years in prison, Rice remains in jail pending sentencing June 5.
The judge found that Rice took a 10-year-old student she taught in her first year at McKinley Elementary School from his home in Tacoma, drove more than 100 miles and had sex with him at a rest area on Interstate 90 on Aug. 11, 2007. She also was convicted of having sex with his 15-year-old brother in the previous month.
According to court records, the boys' father told investigators that Rice showered his younger son with attention until about July 2007, when she was told to stop coming to the house.
After her arrest, Rice said she'd had sex with the boy four or five times previously, including once when she sneaked into his house while his parents were asleep, according to a police affidavit.
No details on her relationship with the older boy were provided except that he was not one of her students.
The News Tribune of Tacoma reported previously that Rice resigned from earlier jobs teaching Spanish at Spanaway Lake High in the suburban Bethel School District and as a second-grade teacher at Southworth Elementary in Yelm, between Tacoma and Olympia, both when her professional judgment was questioned after a year on the job.
The high school job was in 1998-99 and the grade school job was in 2005-06. It was not immediately clear what Rice did between those two jobs.
Bethel spokesman Mark Wenzel said she left in 1999 after administrators became concerned about unspecified procedural matters that were not "egregious" involving an after-school Spanish club.
Former Yelm Superintendent Alan M. Burke said Rice quit in 2006 after learning her contract would not be renewed because of concerns about classroom management, relationships with colleagues and disciplinary issues, including a report that she let some members of an after-school Spanish club vote on whether other members should stay in the club.
"We don't generally allow students to vote other students off the island," Burke said.
Six months after taking the job at McKinley, Rice was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into reports of inappropriate socializing with students outside school hours, Tacoma schools spokeswoman Leanna Albrecht said.
Investigators found no evidence of sexual misconduct, but because of other unspecified findings her contract was allowed to lapse at the end of the year, Albrecht said.
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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
15-year-old boy arrested in South Seattle drive-by shooting of SeaTac man
A 15-year-old boy, accused of shooting a 22-year-old SeaTac man in the arm Tuesday night, was booked into the King County Youth Center on investigation of assault.
By Seattle Times staff
A 15-year-old boy, accused of shooting a 22-year-old SeaTac man in the arm Tuesday night, was booked into the King County Youth Center on investigation of assault.
Officers arrived at an apartment building in the 7400 block of Rainier Avenue South within 2 minutes of getting a 911 call at 10:35 p.m., said Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt. The victim was found in an exterior stairwell with a nonlife threatening gun shot wound to the arm and taken to Harborview Medical Center, she said.
Witnesses told officers that a white Nissan had sped away from the scene, heading north on Rainier Avenue South, Witt said. At 10:48 p.m., a South Precinct officer spotted the vehicle and pulled it over at the intersection of 14th Avenue South and South Main Street, she said. Police questioned five people who were in the car, recovered a handgun from the vehicle and arrested the 15-year-old.
The drive-by shooting is being investigated by the department's gang unit.
By Seattle Times staff
A 15-year-old boy, accused of shooting a 22-year-old SeaTac man in the arm Tuesday night, was booked into the King County Youth Center on investigation of assault.
Officers arrived at an apartment building in the 7400 block of Rainier Avenue South within 2 minutes of getting a 911 call at 10:35 p.m., said Seattle police spokeswoman Renee Witt. The victim was found in an exterior stairwell with a nonlife threatening gun shot wound to the arm and taken to Harborview Medical Center, she said.
Witnesses told officers that a white Nissan had sped away from the scene, heading north on Rainier Avenue South, Witt said. At 10:48 p.m., a South Precinct officer spotted the vehicle and pulled it over at the intersection of 14th Avenue South and South Main Street, she said. Police questioned five people who were in the car, recovered a handgun from the vehicle and arrested the 15-year-old.
The drive-by shooting is being investigated by the department's gang unit.
Sounders FC's Montero won't face criminal charges
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has declined to file criminal charges against Sounders FC soccer star Fredy Montero, citing insufficient evidence to support an Eastside woman's claim that he had raped her.
By Christine Clarridge
Seattle Times staff reporter
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has declined to file criminal charges against Sounders FC soccer star Fredy Montero, citing insufficient evidence to support an Eastside woman's claim that he raped her in March.
In a report to Bellevue police, a copy of which was released this morning to The Seattle Times, prosecutors said a review of the police investigation revealed contradictory behavior by the woman toward Montero and a lack of witnesses or physical evidence to back up her accusations.
"While the word of one person against another may be sufficient by itself to justify the filing of a charge, in this case [the woman's] account is severely compromised by her own descriptions of the events, her actions toward [Montero] during the week intervening the sexual contacts, and the lack of corroborative evidence that should exist given [her] account of events," the report concluded.
The 23-year-old woman had reported to Bellevue police that Montero, 21, had raped her at his condominium and then later stalked her.
Reached by phone Tuesday, the alleged victim said she was "devastated" and could not understand how the prosecutors came to the decision.
Montero's agent said that the allegations were false and stemmed from Montero's efforts to end a dating relationship with the woman.
Montero continued to practice with Sounders FC during the investigation, although he missed the team's April 4 match against Toronto.
"I am excited to return my complete attention to scoring goals for the people of Seattle and making the Sounders FC a very successful club," Montero said in a statement released Tuesday by Sounders FC.
Said an unidentified team spokesman in a statement: "We are pleased with the decision from the prosecutor's office and look forward to putting this behind us and focusing on soccer."
According to documents released Tuesday by Satterberg's office and the Bellevue Police Department, a friend of the woman, who is employed by Sounders FC, had approached the 23-year-old about possibly doing some work as an interpreter and translator for the club's Spanish-speaking players.
The woman, who had lived in Colombia and speaks Spanish fluently, told police that she met Montero when they went out to a nightclub with several others on March 14. After the club closed, they all went to Montero's town house in Factoria to continue the party.
Another woman, who met the group that evening for the first time, was invited as well.
One of Montero's teammates and another woman told police that they saw Montero and the 23-year-old kissing. The teammate told police it looked to him like the 23-year-old was "happy."
The 23-year-old woman told police later, however, that Montero was sexually aggressive with her, and kept trying to get her to have sex with him, urging her to drink heavily and even locking her in a bathroom with him. She said he tried to force her to have sex, but she fought his advances.
The prosecutor's report says, however, that she didn't report this incident to police until the third time they interviewed her. She later said "she didn't consider this rape since he stopped when she told him to stop," the prosecutors' report says.
"This failure to report, in and of itself, is significant in a case of this nature," the prosecution report said.
She said that she decided to sleep at Montero's house because she was too drunk to drive, so she slept on the floor next to him. When she awoke, she said, she found him on top of her having sex with her. According to the prosecutors' report, she told him no and he stopped.
The prosecutor's report says witnesses later told police that she had been offered a ride home that night but she declined, and instead went willingly to Montero's bedroom and slept under a blanket with him.
"Thus, the evidence would suggest that [she] chose to spend the night and did so in [Montero's] bedroom," the report said.
She left the house the next day, according to reports, but discovered later that she had left a necklace at his house.
She told police that she texted him or called him several times during the week to ask about her necklace, but he never texted back.
The prosecutor's report says the record of the messages shows she repeatedly sent him friendly messages, including photos of the two together at the nightclub. One of the photos showed Montero kissing her on the cheek. She also wished him luck on an upcoming soccer match, added him as a "friend" on her Facebook account, and at one point invited Montero out to a bar, but he didn't respond.
Then on March 22, the reports say, Montero called her around 2:30 a.m. on March 22 to tell her that he had found her necklace and invited her over.
She told police that she went back against her better judgment because one of his teammates would be there as well.
At some point, the teammate left and the woman claims that Montero dragged her up the stairs, removed her clothes and raped her while she cried for help.
The 16-year-old son of Montero's host family, who was also spending the night there as a friend of Montero's teenage brother, told police he did not hear any screams or cries. Other witnesses to the encounters also told police they heard no screaming or fighting, the prosecutors' report say.
Montero was arrested by Bellevue police on March 22 and released after surrendering his passport.
The woman also alleged that Montero stalked her when she saw him in a car with his host father a week after the alleged rape, but investigators concluded that the sighting was coincidental after talking with the host family.
The 23-year-old woman's family said they went to the media with the allegations after the Major League Soccer club announced that Montero wouldn't be traveling to Toronto with the team because he had the flu.
Information from Seattle Times reporters Ian Ith and José Miguel Romero is included in this report.
By Christine Clarridge
Seattle Times staff reporter
King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg has declined to file criminal charges against Sounders FC soccer star Fredy Montero, citing insufficient evidence to support an Eastside woman's claim that he raped her in March.
In a report to Bellevue police, a copy of which was released this morning to The Seattle Times, prosecutors said a review of the police investigation revealed contradictory behavior by the woman toward Montero and a lack of witnesses or physical evidence to back up her accusations.
"While the word of one person against another may be sufficient by itself to justify the filing of a charge, in this case [the woman's] account is severely compromised by her own descriptions of the events, her actions toward [Montero] during the week intervening the sexual contacts, and the lack of corroborative evidence that should exist given [her] account of events," the report concluded.
The 23-year-old woman had reported to Bellevue police that Montero, 21, had raped her at his condominium and then later stalked her.
Reached by phone Tuesday, the alleged victim said she was "devastated" and could not understand how the prosecutors came to the decision.
Montero's agent said that the allegations were false and stemmed from Montero's efforts to end a dating relationship with the woman.
Montero continued to practice with Sounders FC during the investigation, although he missed the team's April 4 match against Toronto.
"I am excited to return my complete attention to scoring goals for the people of Seattle and making the Sounders FC a very successful club," Montero said in a statement released Tuesday by Sounders FC.
Said an unidentified team spokesman in a statement: "We are pleased with the decision from the prosecutor's office and look forward to putting this behind us and focusing on soccer."
According to documents released Tuesday by Satterberg's office and the Bellevue Police Department, a friend of the woman, who is employed by Sounders FC, had approached the 23-year-old about possibly doing some work as an interpreter and translator for the club's Spanish-speaking players.
The woman, who had lived in Colombia and speaks Spanish fluently, told police that she met Montero when they went out to a nightclub with several others on March 14. After the club closed, they all went to Montero's town house in Factoria to continue the party.
Another woman, who met the group that evening for the first time, was invited as well.
One of Montero's teammates and another woman told police that they saw Montero and the 23-year-old kissing. The teammate told police it looked to him like the 23-year-old was "happy."
The 23-year-old woman told police later, however, that Montero was sexually aggressive with her, and kept trying to get her to have sex with him, urging her to drink heavily and even locking her in a bathroom with him. She said he tried to force her to have sex, but she fought his advances.
The prosecutor's report says, however, that she didn't report this incident to police until the third time they interviewed her. She later said "she didn't consider this rape since he stopped when she told him to stop," the prosecutors' report says.
"This failure to report, in and of itself, is significant in a case of this nature," the prosecution report said.
She said that she decided to sleep at Montero's house because she was too drunk to drive, so she slept on the floor next to him. When she awoke, she said, she found him on top of her having sex with her. According to the prosecutors' report, she told him no and he stopped.
The prosecutor's report says witnesses later told police that she had been offered a ride home that night but she declined, and instead went willingly to Montero's bedroom and slept under a blanket with him.
"Thus, the evidence would suggest that [she] chose to spend the night and did so in [Montero's] bedroom," the report said.
She left the house the next day, according to reports, but discovered later that she had left a necklace at his house.
She told police that she texted him or called him several times during the week to ask about her necklace, but he never texted back.
The prosecutor's report says the record of the messages shows she repeatedly sent him friendly messages, including photos of the two together at the nightclub. One of the photos showed Montero kissing her on the cheek. She also wished him luck on an upcoming soccer match, added him as a "friend" on her Facebook account, and at one point invited Montero out to a bar, but he didn't respond.
Then on March 22, the reports say, Montero called her around 2:30 a.m. on March 22 to tell her that he had found her necklace and invited her over.
She told police that she went back against her better judgment because one of his teammates would be there as well.
At some point, the teammate left and the woman claims that Montero dragged her up the stairs, removed her clothes and raped her while she cried for help.
The 16-year-old son of Montero's host family, who was also spending the night there as a friend of Montero's teenage brother, told police he did not hear any screams or cries. Other witnesses to the encounters also told police they heard no screaming or fighting, the prosecutors' report say.
Montero was arrested by Bellevue police on March 22 and released after surrendering his passport.
The woman also alleged that Montero stalked her when she saw him in a car with his host father a week after the alleged rape, but investigators concluded that the sighting was coincidental after talking with the host family.
The 23-year-old woman's family said they went to the media with the allegations after the Major League Soccer club announced that Montero wouldn't be traveling to Toronto with the team because he had the flu.
Information from Seattle Times reporters Ian Ith and José Miguel Romero is included in this report.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Meth ring suspects face charges
A Kalispell man has admitted his role in what prosecutors say is a drug trafficking ring that funneled large amounts of methamphetamine from Spokane, Wash., to northwestern Montana.
KALISPELL, Mont. —
A Kalispell man has admitted his role in what prosecutors say is a drug trafficking ring that funneled large amounts of methamphetamine from Spokane, Wash., to northwestern Montana.
During a hearing this week in U.S. District Court in Missoula, 25-year-old Christopher Fraleigh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He's to be sentenced July 10.
Seven other people, named in a recently unsealed federal indictment, also face charges for their roles in the drug trafficking operation.
The commander of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, Russ Papke, says the arrests have "made a significant impact on methamphetamine availability" in the Flathead Valley.
Federal prosecutors allege Fraleigh was a middleman in a methamphetamine trafficking operation based in Spokane and supplied primarily by 34-year-old Jamie Lane Lake, also known in Montana as Jamie Lane Conrad.
Lake pleaded not guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Federal prosecutors allege the operation was moving pounds of the drug per week into Flathead and Lincoln counties by the end of 2007.
Papke said a pound of methamphetamine carries a street value of about $15,000, while a gram sells for about $100.
Prosecutors say the drug operation used motel rooms as meeting places and rental cars for transportation, and sometimes enlisted runners to move the drugs. Fraleigh's rented Kalispell trailer served as a meeting place and dealing location, court documents show.
Also indicted for their roles in the trafficking operation were: 32-year-old Alfonzo Pena of Kalispell, 35-year-old Donovan Dehnel of Spokane, 42-year-old Deanna Rae Hamilton of Spokane, 39-year-old Daniel Bennett of Flathead and Lincoln counties, 38-year-old Scott Shirley of Kalispell, and 29-year-old Justin Hessler of Kalispell.
Each has entered not-guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan says the 16-month investigation also yielded a federal firearms charge against Jerrod Fister of Lakeside and a state charge of distribution of dangerous drugs against another Flathead County man, Kevin Gaethle.
---
Information from: Daily Inter Lake, http://www.dailyinterlake.com
KALISPELL, Mont. —
A Kalispell man has admitted his role in what prosecutors say is a drug trafficking ring that funneled large amounts of methamphetamine from Spokane, Wash., to northwestern Montana.
During a hearing this week in U.S. District Court in Missoula, 25-year-old Christopher Fraleigh pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. He's to be sentenced July 10.
Seven other people, named in a recently unsealed federal indictment, also face charges for their roles in the drug trafficking operation.
The commander of the Northwest Montana Drug Task Force, Russ Papke, says the arrests have "made a significant impact on methamphetamine availability" in the Flathead Valley.
Federal prosecutors allege Fraleigh was a middleman in a methamphetamine trafficking operation based in Spokane and supplied primarily by 34-year-old Jamie Lane Lake, also known in Montana as Jamie Lane Conrad.
Lake pleaded not guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Federal prosecutors allege the operation was moving pounds of the drug per week into Flathead and Lincoln counties by the end of 2007.
Papke said a pound of methamphetamine carries a street value of about $15,000, while a gram sells for about $100.
Prosecutors say the drug operation used motel rooms as meeting places and rental cars for transportation, and sometimes enlisted runners to move the drugs. Fraleigh's rented Kalispell trailer served as a meeting place and dealing location, court documents show.
Also indicted for their roles in the trafficking operation were: 32-year-old Alfonzo Pena of Kalispell, 35-year-old Donovan Dehnel of Spokane, 42-year-old Deanna Rae Hamilton of Spokane, 39-year-old Daniel Bennett of Flathead and Lincoln counties, 38-year-old Scott Shirley of Kalispell, and 29-year-old Justin Hessler of Kalispell.
Each has entered not-guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan says the 16-month investigation also yielded a federal firearms charge against Jerrod Fister of Lakeside and a state charge of distribution of dangerous drugs against another Flathead County man, Kevin Gaethle.
---
Information from: Daily Inter Lake, http://www.dailyinterlake.com
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Police investigating suspect in kids' league embezzlement case
By LUKE DUECY
KOMO-TV STAFF
FEDERAL WAY -- Police here are investigating a person accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from three children's sports leagues.
Investigators say all signs point to a former employee. The person allegedly stole funds from the Federal Way American Little League, The Puget sound Junior Football League and the Federal Way Hawks Football Franchise.
"It's looking like $16,000 to $20,000 has been embezzled at this point," said Ofc. Raymond Bunk.
There have been no arrests so far, but detectives say the money trail begins on local ball fields.
"This person has not been contacted or arrested at this point, because we are still investigating and collecting evidence," said Bunk.
League officials said thousands of dollars began to disappear last year.
Police have not determined just how the suspect spent the stolen money, which was intended for field maintenance other league supplies. Without the money, hundreds of kids' playing fields are in jeopardy.
Some 300 members belong to the Federal Way Hawks franchise, and about 210 players belong to the Federal Way American Little League. More than a thousand kids belong to the Puget Sound Football League. The leagues raised funds by selling concessions at games.
One league commissioner said he wonders how anyone could steal from the kids, especially in this struggling economy, and put the league in jeopardy.
League officials said they're waiting for police officers to make an arrest before they comment on this incident.
KOMO-TV STAFF
FEDERAL WAY -- Police here are investigating a person accused of embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from three children's sports leagues.
Investigators say all signs point to a former employee. The person allegedly stole funds from the Federal Way American Little League, The Puget sound Junior Football League and the Federal Way Hawks Football Franchise.
"It's looking like $16,000 to $20,000 has been embezzled at this point," said Ofc. Raymond Bunk.
There have been no arrests so far, but detectives say the money trail begins on local ball fields.
"This person has not been contacted or arrested at this point, because we are still investigating and collecting evidence," said Bunk.
League officials said thousands of dollars began to disappear last year.
Police have not determined just how the suspect spent the stolen money, which was intended for field maintenance other league supplies. Without the money, hundreds of kids' playing fields are in jeopardy.
Some 300 members belong to the Federal Way Hawks franchise, and about 210 players belong to the Federal Way American Little League. More than a thousand kids belong to the Puget Sound Football League. The leagues raised funds by selling concessions at games.
One league commissioner said he wonders how anyone could steal from the kids, especially in this struggling economy, and put the league in jeopardy.
League officials said they're waiting for police officers to make an arrest before they comment on this incident.
Arraignment set for murder suspect McBride
Seattle Times staff and newswires
Mount Vernon
Arraignment is set for Thursday in Skagit County Superior Court in Mount Vernon for Kenneth McBride.
He's charged with murder in the shooting of Jeremy Scully, a substitute teacher and assistant track coach at Ferndale High School. Prosecutors say he led a "swinger" lifestyle that included McBride's wife, Vanessa.
McBride lived in Skagit County at the time of the shooting in April 2008 and later moved to Lebanon, Ore., where he was arrested March 11.
Mount Vernon
Arraignment is set for Thursday in Skagit County Superior Court in Mount Vernon for Kenneth McBride.
He's charged with murder in the shooting of Jeremy Scully, a substitute teacher and assistant track coach at Ferndale High School. Prosecutors say he led a "swinger" lifestyle that included McBride's wife, Vanessa.
McBride lived in Skagit County at the time of the shooting in April 2008 and later moved to Lebanon, Ore., where he was arrested March 11.
$2M bail for each beating suspect in Skamania County skier attack
Bail has been set at $2 million each for a Vancouver father and son accused of brutally beating a cross-country skier and taking his car and wallet.
Seattle Times staff and newswires
Stevenson, Skamania County
Bail has been set at $2 million each for a Vancouver father and son accused of brutally beating a cross-country skier and taking his car and wallet.
Skamania County Superior Court Judge Thompson Reynolds scheduled arraignment on Thursday for 33-year-old Michael David Collins and his 16-year-old son, Tevin Collins.
The Vancouver Columbian reports they were in court in shackles Tuesday in Stevenson after being flown back from Mexico, where they were arrested.
They are charged with attempted murder and robbery in the Feb. 9 attack on 52-year-old Robert Kevin Tracey, of Washougal, as he was cross-country skiing in a remote area. Prosecutors say he was beaten, choked and left for dead.
Seattle Times staff and newswires
Stevenson, Skamania County
Bail has been set at $2 million each for a Vancouver father and son accused of brutally beating a cross-country skier and taking his car and wallet.
Skamania County Superior Court Judge Thompson Reynolds scheduled arraignment on Thursday for 33-year-old Michael David Collins and his 16-year-old son, Tevin Collins.
The Vancouver Columbian reports they were in court in shackles Tuesday in Stevenson after being flown back from Mexico, where they were arrested.
They are charged with attempted murder and robbery in the Feb. 9 attack on 52-year-old Robert Kevin Tracey, of Washougal, as he was cross-country skiing in a remote area. Prosecutors say he was beaten, choked and left for dead.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Spanaway man, 26, killed in high-speed crash
KOMO-TV STAFF
PUYALLUP -- A 26-year-old Spanaway man was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his pickup and crashed through a guardrail after speeding recklessly along state Route 512.
State troopers and emergency personnel responded to the scene just after 2 a.m. after getting calls about the fiery crash.
The driver, Ryan D. Allen of Spanaway, was rocketing east in a 2005 Dodge Ram at speeds of nearly 100 mph when witnesses say he blew past them and veered off the roadway to the left.
Allen lost control in the grass and shot back onto the highway, crossing all lanes of traffic and crashing through a guardrail on the right, taking out two Transportation Department signs.
The truck rolled twice after leaving the roadway, and Allen was thrown from the vehicle. The truck then burst into flames about 50 feet from the side of the highway.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, the truck was fully engulfed in flames. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said high speed and possibly alcohol were factors in the crash. Allen was not wearing his seat belt.
The right lane of S.R. 512 was closed for about four hours and the left lane was closed intermittently during investigation of the scene.
PUYALLUP -- A 26-year-old Spanaway man was killed early Saturday when he lost control of his pickup and crashed through a guardrail after speeding recklessly along state Route 512.
State troopers and emergency personnel responded to the scene just after 2 a.m. after getting calls about the fiery crash.
The driver, Ryan D. Allen of Spanaway, was rocketing east in a 2005 Dodge Ram at speeds of nearly 100 mph when witnesses say he blew past them and veered off the roadway to the left.
Allen lost control in the grass and shot back onto the highway, crossing all lanes of traffic and crashing through a guardrail on the right, taking out two Transportation Department signs.
The truck rolled twice after leaving the roadway, and Allen was thrown from the vehicle. The truck then burst into flames about 50 feet from the side of the highway.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, the truck was fully engulfed in flames. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said high speed and possibly alcohol were factors in the crash. Allen was not wearing his seat belt.
The right lane of S.R. 512 was closed for about four hours and the left lane was closed intermittently during investigation of the scene.
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