Arrested: Reis, Jerry A.; 45 year of age male, Richland Resident
Charge: 2nd Degree Assault
On August 1, 2011 at approximately 9:35 AM police were made aware of a potential hostage situation in he 1800 block of Peachtree Lane. A female had called a relative and told her that her boyfriend, Jerry Reis had held a knife to her throat and was not letting her leave their residence. Police arrived and deployed around a 4 plex where it was believed the subjects were located.
An updated phone call via the relative indicated that the female victim was able to make it to a neighboring apartment. No direct contact with the victim was able to be established to ascertain her safety or determine if she was speaking under duress. Reis has a criminal history, is a convicted felon, and has threatened to shoot police officers in the past.
The PA system in a police vehicle was used to try and communicate with individuals inside with no response. The sound could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Several attempts were made to use technology to determine the location of both subjects to no avail. Neighboring residents were contacted and asked to leave their apartments.
No activity or response was received from inside the apartment. After receiving a search warrant, officers entered through the front door and deployed a small robot. Using the robot they were able to locate two subjects in a bedroom. Reis was observed laying on his stomach on a bed with his hands under his chest. The female victim was laying next to him and appeared to be distraught.
Officers began giving Reis directions to stand up and show his hands. As he did so he threw something to the floor before he was taken into custody. A subsequent search revealed a knife in the same area that officers saw him toss an object. This supports the victim's initial statement that he was armed earlier in the day.
Reis was taken into custody without further incident. The victim is being interviewed.
After reviewing the incident, the Benton County Prosecutor's Office authorized Reis to be held on a 72 hour hold. He was booked into the Benton County jail.
Members of the Benton County Sheriff's Office and the Kennewick Police Department also assisted with the resoluton of this case.
Contact Capt. Mike Cobb for additional information, 509-942-7362
