by TRAVIS PITTMAN / KING5.com
Posted on November 12, 2009 at 10:25 AM
AUBURN, Wash. – State troopers believe an Idaho man may have been drunk when he collided head-on with a car on State Route 18, sending that driver to the hospital early Thursday morning.
The Washington State Patrol says at about 3:15 a.m., a 2001 Toyota Tacoma was being driven erratically on northbound Interstate 5 near Federal Way. A witness followed the truck as it exited onto SR 18 and then onto Weyerhaeuser Way.
Troopers say the pickup then got back onto SR 18, but was headed eastbound in the westbound lanes, headed down Peasley Canyon toward Auburn. The truck collided head-on with a 1993 Subaru Legacy, driven by a 42-year-old Auburn man.
Both drivers were taken to Harborview Medical Center. The Subaru driver had serious injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 25-year-old Soda Springs, Idaho man, had minor injuries.
The pickup driver is being investigated for vehicular assault. Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the collision.
All lanes of westbound SR 18 were closed at the scene for about two hours while troopers investigated. Both vehicles were crushed in the accident.
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Thursday, November 12, 2009
Bellevue woman accused of raping daughter's boyfriend
KOMO-TV STAFF
BELLEVUE -- Police here have arrested a woman for allegedly raping her daughter's 14-year-old boyfriend.
The 32-year-old woman, who was arrested Thursday at her home for investigation of second-degree child rape, has not been charged.
Police spokeswoman Carla Iafrate said the crime allegedly occurred at the woman's home and was brought to the attention of police last month by state Child Protective Services workers.
Details of the alleged crime and CPS case were not available.
Investigators expect to send the case to the King County Prosecutor's Office later this week, Iafrate said.
BELLEVUE -- Police here have arrested a woman for allegedly raping her daughter's 14-year-old boyfriend.
The 32-year-old woman, who was arrested Thursday at her home for investigation of second-degree child rape, has not been charged.
Police spokeswoman Carla Iafrate said the crime allegedly occurred at the woman's home and was brought to the attention of police last month by state Child Protective Services workers.
Details of the alleged crime and CPS case were not available.
Investigators expect to send the case to the King County Prosecutor's Office later this week, Iafrate said.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Kent police identify shooting victim as Lt. Gov. Brad Owen's son
By DENNIS BOX
COVINGTON REPORTER
The Kent Police Department confirmed the victim in a shooting incident in Kent is 37-year-old Mark Owen, son of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen.
Mark Owen is listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center.
The 63-year-old suspect, a manager at Kent Body and Paint located at 831 5th Av. S., where the shooting occurred, is also at Harborview after turning the firearm on himself.
According to a Kent Police Department statement, the man is alive, but has life-threatening injuries.
The released also stated Lt. Gov. Owen has been fully cooperative with the investigation and is at Harborview with his son.
Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan stated in the release, “Although there is never any reason or logic for violence in the work place, we are diligently investigating the circumstances that led up to this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Gov. Owen and his family at this very difficult time."
An earlier release from the department stated the shooting occurred at 2:30 p.m. today.
When officers arrived at the scene they found Mark Owen with a gunshot injury to the arm and abdomen.
Officers found the 63-year-old man about one block away. According to the release the man had shot himself in the head.
Both suspects were treated at the scene by the Kent Fire Department emergency medical personnel and transported to Harborview Medical Center.
This article was originally published in the Covington Reporter on November 9, 2009.
Dennis Box can be reached at editor@maplevalleyreporter.com.
COVINGTON REPORTER
The Kent Police Department confirmed the victim in a shooting incident in Kent is 37-year-old Mark Owen, son of Lt. Gov. Brad Owen.
Mark Owen is listed in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center.
The 63-year-old suspect, a manager at Kent Body and Paint located at 831 5th Av. S., where the shooting occurred, is also at Harborview after turning the firearm on himself.
According to a Kent Police Department statement, the man is alive, but has life-threatening injuries.
The released also stated Lt. Gov. Owen has been fully cooperative with the investigation and is at Harborview with his son.
Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan stated in the release, “Although there is never any reason or logic for violence in the work place, we are diligently investigating the circumstances that led up to this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lt. Gov. Owen and his family at this very difficult time."
An earlier release from the department stated the shooting occurred at 2:30 p.m. today.
When officers arrived at the scene they found Mark Owen with a gunshot injury to the arm and abdomen.
Officers found the 63-year-old man about one block away. According to the release the man had shot himself in the head.
Both suspects were treated at the scene by the Kent Fire Department emergency medical personnel and transported to Harborview Medical Center.
This article was originally published in the Covington Reporter on November 9, 2009.
Dennis Box can be reached at editor@maplevalleyreporter.com.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Crooks posing as cops rape fast-food worker
KOMO-TV
TACOMA. -- Crooks who have masqueraded as police officers and kidnapped and robbed fast-food restaurant managers in the past month struck again Sunday, but this time, police say they've elevated their crimes to rape.
A Lakewood Wendy's Restaurant employee was on her way home from work around 2:20 a.m. Sunday when she was pulled over by a vehicle with red-and-blue flashing lights, said Lauren Wallin with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office's CrimeStoppers program.
Two armed robbers handcuffed her boyfriend and placed him in the trunk of his car, then demanded her keys to the restaurant.
The woman didn't have keys to the restaurant, and after realizing this, the robbers took the victim into a fenced, wooded area in the 1900 block of East 56th Street in Tacoma and raped her, Wallin said.
The rape victim, whom KOMO News has chosen not to identify, said the thieves then "told me if I say anything, they are going to hurt me and my family."
"And that's scary. They know where I work, they know where I live," she said. "Just scared to know that there are people like this out there. I didn't do anything. I don't even know who they are."
The victim said she doesn't understand why the thieves followed her instead of robbing her at work.
"Why would they do that? Why would they go that far? If they really needed money, they could have gotten me right then and there," she said.
But that's not the way these thieves work, according to investigators. Sunday's incident was the fourth time the robbers have struck in a similar manner in the past month.
In all incidents, restaurant managers in Pierce County were pulled over by a vehicle with red-and-blue flashing lights shortly after closing and leaving their restaurant. Two unidentified suspects wearing bandannas over their faces then approached the victims' vehicle, flashed guns and handcuffed the victim.
In the previous three incidents, one of the robbers drove the victim back to the restaurant and forced the victim, at gunpoint, to unlock the doors, open the safe and hand over the cash.
Another robber then picked up the first suspect in a getaway car, detectives believe.
The previous three kidnapping/robberies occurred:
* 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Burger King on Mountain Highway in Graham.
* 3:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, Wendy's on Hosmer Street in Tacoma (attempted robbery)
* 12:40 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, McDonald's on Steilacoom Boulevard in Lakewood
"The robberies are bad enough. It's scary for everyone involved fortunately they haven't turned deadly," said Tacoma Police Det. Mark Fulghum.
The men have used vehicles described as a dark, newer SUV and an older black Honda with tinted windows, with red-and-blue lights on the dashboard.
During the robberies, the pair have been wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, dark hats, bandannas and gloves, and have been armed with handguns.
The kidnappings and robberies are being investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Lakewood Police and Tacoma Police.
A reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and charges filed for the robbers in this case. To contact police, call 253- 591-5959. All callers will remain anonymous.
TACOMA. -- Crooks who have masqueraded as police officers and kidnapped and robbed fast-food restaurant managers in the past month struck again Sunday, but this time, police say they've elevated their crimes to rape.
A Lakewood Wendy's Restaurant employee was on her way home from work around 2:20 a.m. Sunday when she was pulled over by a vehicle with red-and-blue flashing lights, said Lauren Wallin with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office's CrimeStoppers program.
Two armed robbers handcuffed her boyfriend and placed him in the trunk of his car, then demanded her keys to the restaurant.
The woman didn't have keys to the restaurant, and after realizing this, the robbers took the victim into a fenced, wooded area in the 1900 block of East 56th Street in Tacoma and raped her, Wallin said.
The rape victim, whom KOMO News has chosen not to identify, said the thieves then "told me if I say anything, they are going to hurt me and my family."
"And that's scary. They know where I work, they know where I live," she said. "Just scared to know that there are people like this out there. I didn't do anything. I don't even know who they are."
The victim said she doesn't understand why the thieves followed her instead of robbing her at work.
"Why would they do that? Why would they go that far? If they really needed money, they could have gotten me right then and there," she said.
But that's not the way these thieves work, according to investigators. Sunday's incident was the fourth time the robbers have struck in a similar manner in the past month.
In all incidents, restaurant managers in Pierce County were pulled over by a vehicle with red-and-blue flashing lights shortly after closing and leaving their restaurant. Two unidentified suspects wearing bandannas over their faces then approached the victims' vehicle, flashed guns and handcuffed the victim.
In the previous three incidents, one of the robbers drove the victim back to the restaurant and forced the victim, at gunpoint, to unlock the doors, open the safe and hand over the cash.
Another robber then picked up the first suspect in a getaway car, detectives believe.
The previous three kidnapping/robberies occurred:
* 2:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, Burger King on Mountain Highway in Graham.
* 3:15 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, Wendy's on Hosmer Street in Tacoma (attempted robbery)
* 12:40 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, McDonald's on Steilacoom Boulevard in Lakewood
"The robberies are bad enough. It's scary for everyone involved fortunately they haven't turned deadly," said Tacoma Police Det. Mark Fulghum.
The men have used vehicles described as a dark, newer SUV and an older black Honda with tinted windows, with red-and-blue lights on the dashboard.
During the robberies, the pair have been wearing dark hooded sweatshirts, dark hats, bandannas and gloves, and have been armed with handguns.
The kidnappings and robberies are being investigated by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, Lakewood Police and Tacoma Police.
A reward of $1,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and charges filed for the robbers in this case. To contact police, call 253- 591-5959. All callers will remain anonymous.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Male prostitute testifies judge paid him to have sex
By KEITH ELDRIDGE and KOMO-TV STAFF
(Editor's Note: This story contains explicit material.)
TACOMA -- A young, self-admitted prostitute testified Monday that he was paid to have sex with a Tacoma attorney who has since been elected a Pierce County superior court judge.
Michael Hecht is charged with soliciting a prostitute and making a death threat.
The judge and his attorney have stated there are good reasons why Hecht was driving around Antique Row -- he was an antique lover. But Joseph Pfeiffer testifiedthe reason Hecht drove around was to have sex.
Pfeiffer is one of two star witnesses for the government, and the fate of Hecht rests on whether the jury believes Pfeiffer when he says he was paid to have sex with Hecht 8-10 times.
Pfeiffer says he would hang out on Antique Row and Hecht would come and pick him up in his car. He claims the two would go to a law office in north Tacoma where they would have sex after business hours.
"As you sit here today, do you remember what sex acts occurred that first time you were with the defendant at his law office?" the prosecutor asked Pfeiffer.
"Masturbation and oral," Pfeiffer replied, adding they would do both acts to each other.
Pfeiffer says he was with Hecht as the two went looking for Joseph Hesketh, another male prostitute who claims Hecht made a death threat against him. But in court Monday, Pfeiffer didn't mention the death threat, saying only that Hecht was angry.
Pfeiffer says at one time, he changed his story to say the sex wasn't for money, but now says that was a lie. The state hopes to wrap up its side of the trial Tuesday, when it's Judge Hecht's turn to present a defense.
(Editor's Note: This story contains explicit material.)
TACOMA -- A young, self-admitted prostitute testified Monday that he was paid to have sex with a Tacoma attorney who has since been elected a Pierce County superior court judge.
Michael Hecht is charged with soliciting a prostitute and making a death threat.
The judge and his attorney have stated there are good reasons why Hecht was driving around Antique Row -- he was an antique lover. But Joseph Pfeiffer testifiedthe reason Hecht drove around was to have sex.
Pfeiffer is one of two star witnesses for the government, and the fate of Hecht rests on whether the jury believes Pfeiffer when he says he was paid to have sex with Hecht 8-10 times.
Pfeiffer says he would hang out on Antique Row and Hecht would come and pick him up in his car. He claims the two would go to a law office in north Tacoma where they would have sex after business hours.
"As you sit here today, do you remember what sex acts occurred that first time you were with the defendant at his law office?" the prosecutor asked Pfeiffer.
"Masturbation and oral," Pfeiffer replied, adding they would do both acts to each other.
Pfeiffer says he was with Hecht as the two went looking for Joseph Hesketh, another male prostitute who claims Hecht made a death threat against him. But in court Monday, Pfeiffer didn't mention the death threat, saying only that Hecht was angry.
Pfeiffer says at one time, he changed his story to say the sex wasn't for money, but now says that was a lie. The state hopes to wrap up its side of the trial Tuesday, when it's Judge Hecht's turn to present a defense.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Man arrested in hammer attack
KOMO-TV
Authorities have arrested the man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and attacking her with a hammer.
King County Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said Milord Gelin was arrested while boarding a Greyhound bus in Eugene, Ore.
Gelin, 33, is accused of breaking into the home of 41-year-old Laurie Williams around 3:30 a.m. Monday and beating her with a hammer while she was sleeping.
Two neighbors called 911 after hearing her screams for help, Urquhart said.
The suspect allegedly stole the woman's SUV and was gone before deputies arrived at the Kirkland home.
Williams was taken to Evergreen Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries.
"She's very bruised. She's on heavy sedation," said Joe Bryant, the victim's brother-in-law.
Family members said Williams ended a 3-year relationship with Gelin a few months ago.
"My sister-in-law had just purchased a new home, a home he was not a part of," said Bryant. "And it was that nice new home that she hasn't even had a housewarming for that he broke into and tried to murder her this morning."
Gelin and Williams lived together in a house near the Big Finn Hill neighborhood last year. Former neighbors said the two were a solid couple who showed no signs of problems.
Authorities have arrested the man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and attacking her with a hammer.
King County Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said Milord Gelin was arrested while boarding a Greyhound bus in Eugene, Ore.
Gelin, 33, is accused of breaking into the home of 41-year-old Laurie Williams around 3:30 a.m. Monday and beating her with a hammer while she was sleeping.
Two neighbors called 911 after hearing her screams for help, Urquhart said.
The suspect allegedly stole the woman's SUV and was gone before deputies arrived at the Kirkland home.
Williams was taken to Evergreen Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries.
"She's very bruised. She's on heavy sedation," said Joe Bryant, the victim's brother-in-law.
Family members said Williams ended a 3-year relationship with Gelin a few months ago.
"My sister-in-law had just purchased a new home, a home he was not a part of," said Bryant. "And it was that nice new home that she hasn't even had a housewarming for that he broke into and tried to murder her this morning."
Gelin and Williams lived together in a house near the Big Finn Hill neighborhood last year. Former neighbors said the two were a solid couple who showed no signs of problems.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Man arrested in hammer attack
KOMO-TV
Authorities have arrested the man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and attacking her with a hammer.
King County Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said Milord Gelin was arrested while boarding a Greyhound bus in Eugene, Ore.
Gelin, 33, is accused of breaking into the home of 41-year-old Laurie Williams around 3:30 a.m. Monday and beating her with a hammer while she was sleeping.
Two neighbors called 911 after hearing her screams for help, Urquhart said.
The suspect allegedly stole the woman's SUV and was gone before deputies arrived at the Kirkland home.
Williams was taken to Evergreen Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries.
"She's very bruised. She's on heavy sedation," said Joe Bryant, the victim's brother-in-law.
Family members said Williams ended a 3-year relationship with Gelin a few months ago.
"My sister-in-law had just purchased a new home, a home he was not a part of," said Bryant. "And it was that nice new home that she hasn't even had a housewarming for that he broke into and tried to murder her this morning."
Gelin and Williams lived together in a house near the Big Finn Hill neighborhood last year. Former neighbors said the two were a solid couple who showed no signs of problems.
Authorities have arrested the man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's house and attacking her with a hammer.
King County Sheriff spokesman John Urquhart said Milord Gelin was arrested while boarding a Greyhound bus in Eugene, Ore.
Gelin, 33, is accused of breaking into the home of 41-year-old Laurie Williams around 3:30 a.m. Monday and beating her with a hammer while she was sleeping.
Two neighbors called 911 after hearing her screams for help, Urquhart said.
The suspect allegedly stole the woman's SUV and was gone before deputies arrived at the Kirkland home.
Williams was taken to Evergreen Medical Center to be treated for severe injuries.
"She's very bruised. She's on heavy sedation," said Joe Bryant, the victim's brother-in-law.
Family members said Williams ended a 3-year relationship with Gelin a few months ago.
"My sister-in-law had just purchased a new home, a home he was not a part of," said Bryant. "And it was that nice new home that she hasn't even had a housewarming for that he broke into and tried to murder her this morning."
Gelin and Williams lived together in a house near the Big Finn Hill neighborhood last year. Former neighbors said the two were a solid couple who showed no signs of problems.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Men want out of selling magazines, get beat with baseball bats, golf clubs
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.
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.
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.
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