Thursday, March 29, 2012

Airsoft Handgun Brought To School By Student

Detained: Two students of Chief Joseph Middle School, ages 11 and 12. Richland Residents

Charges: Pending

Synopsis:
On 03/29/2012 at 2:38 PM the Richland police were called to Chief Joseph Middle School where it was reported there was a student with a gun near the main entrance of the school. The suspect was an 11 year old student of Chief Joseph and multiple students saw him with the handgun. School had already been released for the day so it was not placed on lock down since most of the students were already outside. It was also reported that the student with the hand gun might be en route to another 12 year old student's residence to threaten him, so police responded to that location and also to the suspect's residence.

The 11 year old suspect was located at his residence and eventually came outside after being hailed for several minutes over the police car's loud speaker. The handgun had been thrown out of a second floor window and was located in some bushes near the back of the residence by police officers. The handgun turned out to be a plastic airsoft gun.

During the investigation that followed it was learned that the airsoft gun was actually brought to school by the 12 year old student so he could sell it to another student. The 12 year old student didn't want to take the airsoft handgun into the school so he hid it in some bushes on school property. The 11 year old suspect saw him hide the gun and he went and took it from the bushes. Just after school was let out for the day the 11 year old displayed the airsoft gun to several students and pointed it at the midsection of a male student. It was at that time that students began to report the sighting of the gun to school officials and the police were called.

The Richland Police Department and the Richland School District are continuing their investigation with several students still needing to be interviewed concerning this incident.

Sgt. Brian Ruegsegger, (509) 942-7713
Contact Sgt. Darryl Judge for additional at (509) 628-0333

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Suspect With Warrants Captured After Eluding Police

Arrested: Barrett, Justin N., 20 year of age male, Pasco resident

Charges: Felony warrants for (1) Burglary / Trafficking Stolen Property, and (2) Possession of Methamphetamine / Theft 3rd

Synopsis:
On 3/27/12 at approximately 3:45 p.m., Justin Barrett was contacted by Richland Police in the 1500 block of Jadwin. There were outstanding warrants for his arrest. Barrett fled on foot and lost the officers when he ran into an area with several commercial businesses.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., officers found Barrett in the 1200 block of Richmond. When officers contacted Barrett he again fled on foot, trying to evade capture by running through the back yards of residences. Barrett entered an unlocked residence in the 1200 block of Wright. He was confronted by the resident and immediately exited the house. Officers then captured Barrett and booked him into the Benton County Jail for the above warrants. This case has been sent to the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office for review of additional charges.

Contact Sergeant Mike Harrison, 509-942-7367, for additional information.

Monday, March 26, 2012

9-1-1 Scam Alert

Residents in Washington and other states have reported receiving calls from someone requesting money for 9-1-1 services. The caller claims that residents must pay a fee to register their house in a 9‑1‑1 database so first responders can locate the home in an emergency. The caller also requests names and medical information from the residents.

This is a scam. 9-1-1 services are funded through dedicated 9-1-1 excise taxes on telephone bills and by other local government funds. Any request for 9-1-1 funds over the phone is a fraud, and residents who receive these calls should hang up and report the suspicious call to their local police or sheriff’s non-emergency phone number. Benton County residents please use telephone number 509-628-0333.

Monday, March 19, 2012

1st annual Auto Theft Prevention Week

RPD's first ever Auto Theft Prevention Week is April 9th through the 13th. During the week RPD will be at locations around the community where brochures, key chains, pens, & ice scrapers will be handed out. Officers will also be available to answer your questions regarding personal, home and neighborhood safety. On Wednesday's event at the police station steering wheel locks will be handed out to the first 100 people who stop by.

Public Events include:

04/09/12 Richland Library from 9 AM to 12PM & Richland Wal-Mart from 4 PM to 7 PM.

04/10/12 WSU Tri-Cities from 9 AM to 12 PM & Richland Safeway from 4 PM to 7 PM.

04/11/12 Richland Police Station from 7 AM to 10 AM, PNNL 11 AM to 1 PM & Richland Fred Meyers from 4 PM to 7 PM.

04/12/12 PNNL from 11 AM to 1 PM.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Theft Suspect Update

Evidence has been identified that links the suspect, Chad Quigley, to a fourth Richland construction site theft case.

The investigation is continuing and there is a significant amount of evidence left to process.

Charges may be amended after consultation with the Benton County Prosecutor's Office.

Additional updates will be released if new information becomes available.

Suspect Arrested for Construction Site Thefts

Arrested: Quiqley, Chad P; 38 year of age male, Richland resident
Charge: 3 counts, Theft 1st Degree

Synopsis:

On March 15, 2012 the Richland Police Department investigated a construction site tool theft that occurred in the 2500 block of Columbia Center Blvd. The report indicated someone forced open a cargo trailer used to house tools for the job site. Police contacted an individual in the area who had witnessed the theft. Information from this case led officers to Chad Quigley, a 38 year old Richland resident, being identified as the person seen removing tools from the cargo container.

Richland Police Officers located Quigley’s vehicle and contacted members of the Richland Police Street Crimes Unit (SCU). Quigley was arrested a short time later and a search warrant was executed on Quigley’s apartment. Further investigation led SCU Officers to Pasco where stolen property was recovered from two other Richland construction site thefts.

Quigley was Booked into the Benton County Jail on 3 counts of Theft 1st degree. There have been several other thefts in Richland and Kennewick that are similar. Investigators are still waiting for a total inventory but it is estimated that the value of items taken will exceed $60,000.00.

The investigation is continuing.

Contact Cpt. Mike Cobb, 509-942-7362, for additional information.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Prescription Take Back Program


The Richland Police Department will be participating in this year’s DOJ/DEA Take Back Program. The program allows residents to drop off their old or unwanted prescriptions so they can be disposed of properly. The event is being held on April 28, 2012 from 10 AM to 2 PM. The location will be at the Richland Police Department located at 871 George Washington Way.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Stolen Vehicle Attempts To Elude Police

ARRESTED: 15 yoa male, Kennewick resident

CHARGES: Possession of stolen property, eluding police, minor in possession of alcohol, & no valid operators license

SYNOPSIS: A Richland Officer spotted a stolen vehicle eastbound on SR 240 and coordinated with other units to conduct a felony stop. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle at SR 240 and Duportail, but the vehicle fled. Officers attempted to spike the vehicle and after one failed attempt, were able to spike the vehicles front passenger tire. The vehicle then stopped on two separate occasions, but as officers exited their vehicles, the vehicle would drive away again. The vehicle eventually had all tires spiked and the spike strip got caught in one of the wheel wells. A Pasco PD officer conducted a PIT maneuver on I 182 just before the exit to Road 68, and officers were finally able to take the suspect into custody. Officers from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, Pasco PD, and WSP assisted in the apprehension of the suspect, which included blocking traffic to make the situation safe for motorists on the highway.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain Jeff Taylor 942-7363