Wednesday, July 30, 2014

National Night Out and City Fair. Aug 5th from 5 PM to 8 PM

National Night Out and Richland City Fair


A fun family event, that combines two of Richland’s former events into one, will be held on Tuesday, August 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in John Dam Plaza.

     City Fair, an exhibition of city services that include big rigs, displays and demonstrations, and National Night Out, which focuses on crime prevention and safety, offer residents a bigger and better community event all rolled up in one.

     The event will include food vendors, live music with the Java Tones, information on all city services and more. You can find out about conservation, city events and activities, speak to a staff or council member, or sit in a police, fire or garbage truck. There will also be a dunk tank, raffle drawing for two children’s bicycles, and free ice cream while it lasts.

     The south parking lot at John Dam Park will be closed for the big rigs, but parking will be available at Richland City Hall or the Federal Building.

Friday, July 25, 2014

Level 3 Sex Offender Notification

Eldhardt, Danny Ray

 
 
ELDHARDT, DANNY RAY
43 year of age male, 6'02", 230 lbs., Brown Hair and Eyes 
 
Address:            Kittitas County – KNOWN TO FREQUENT 2021 MAHAN AVENUE, M COURT RICHLAND, WA
Convictions:      Child Molestation 3rd degree – Kittitas Co, WA – 1999
                           Rape of a Child 3rd degree – Kittitas Co, WA - 1992
                           Indecent Liberties – Kittitas Co, WA – 1988
                           Indecent Exposure – Kittitas Co, WA - 1988
                           Indecent  Liberties – Kittitas Co, WA -1986     
NOTES:                 Eldhardt resides in Ronald, WA in Kittitas County, WA however has been frequenting 2021 Mahan M Court in Richland and Kennewick for extended periods of time.  Eldhardt has a significant and persistent sexual history involving minor female’s ages 5-15 years of age.   Eldhardt is considered to have a HIGH RISK to reoffend.  Eldhardt is NOT currently on Department of Corrections supervision. 
 
ELDHARDT IS NOT WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THIS TIME.  THIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
 
·         The treatment of sexual offenders does not guarantee they will or will not commit another offense. 
·         This information is provided in accordance with RCW 4.24.550.  The Richland Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may live.  Unless court ordered restrictions exist, the offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he chooses.
·         Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate, or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.  Such abuse could end our ability to do community notifications.
·         The Sexual Assault Response Center is available 24 hours a day to provide advocacy, information, referrals, and crisis intervention for victims of sexual violence.  Please give them a call for support or information pertaining to sexual assault at 374-5391.
 
For additional information and safety tips regarding registered sex offenders in your area log into the Benton County Web site at www.co.benton.wa.us or contact Richland Police Department Detective Athena Clark at 509-942-7354 or by email at aclark@ci.richland.wa.us

 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Richland Police Arrest Burglar Exiting Victim's Home

Arrested:  Venegas, Juan P.; 18 year of age male, Yakima address
Charge:  Residential Burglary

Synopsis:

At about 8:45 AM today Richland police officers were advised of a 911 call involving a subject beating on the front door of a residence in the 1000 block of Pattyton Lane.  As officers were responding, the call was upgraded to a burglary in progress.  The 18 year old son of the homeowner was inside the house and said that a subject had now broken in and was in the process of stealing their possessions.

The first officer to arrive saw an SUV in the driveway that belonged to the suspect.  As he approached the front door a male, later identified as Venegas, came outside.  In his arms he was holding an X Box, a camera and several game controllers.  The suspect was confronted, dropped what he had been holding and fled back into the residence.  The officer chased the suspect through the house and out of the back door.

The suspect went through a number of back yards.  Officers set up containment and called for the assistance of a Benton County SO K-9 Unit.  The K-9 began tracking the suspect.  As he approached where the suspect was hiding, Venegas put his hands into the air and surrendered.  He was taken into custody without further incident.

The items Venegas had stolen were photographed and returned to the victim.  It appears as if Venegas may have observed the female homeowner leave and decided to burglarize the residence.  Entry was made by prying off a dog door on the exterior of the home.

Venegas was reportedly arrested for a similar crime in Chicago in March of this year.  Chicago PD has been contacted and we are awaiting information on any charges regarding their case.

Venegas was booked into the Benton County jail on charges of Residential Burglary.

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

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Richland Police Adding Staff for Fireworks Calls


The Richland Police Department will be reassigning 10 officers to work fireworks related calls on July 4.  Problem areas have included large parking lots and the Richland parks system.  Officers will be focusing on education and enforcement of those individuals contacted possessing or discharging illegal fireworks.

Any firework that leaves the ground or shoots projectiles into the air are illegal (mortars and bottle rockets are the most common types that are used illegally).  Fireworks stands in the City of Richland sell varieties that are legal to discharge within the City limits.

The City of Richland slogan “If it flies, it doesn’t fly here” is a good rule of thumb to use when choosing to discharge any type of firework.  The fine for possession or discharge of illegal fireworks is $250.00.

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

Shoplift Suspect-Attempt to Identify. 14-12.

If you recognize this shoplift suspect please contact Ofc. Kane at 509-942-7636 (refer to 14-12).  You may remain anonymous. 

Shoplift Suspect-Attempt to ID. 14-11

If you recognize this shoplift suspect please contact Ofc. Kane at 509-942-7636 (refer to 14-11).  You may remain anonymous.  Picture of suspect and suspect vehicle.



Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Help RPD identify some of the suspects involved in recent crimes.

Richland PD has begun a program of posting suspect photographs/videos in the hopes of identifying some of the suspects involved in the crimes.  If you recognize any of the suspects pictured here please contact Community Services Officer Richard Kane at 509-942-7636. 

14-09:  Shoplift
14-08:  Commercial Burglary
14-10: Fraud/ID theft

14-03: Shoplift of Beer


14-04:  Fraud
 
 
14-08:  Video of Commercial Burglary
 


Richland Police Arrest Organized Retail Theft Ringleader


Arrested:  Cano, Fernando M.; 49 year of age male, Pasco resident
Charges:  Organized Retail Theft, Trafficking in Stolen Property 1st Degree, Possession of Stolen Firearm

Arrested:  Shaffer, Kaleb A.; 38 year of age male, Pasco resident
Charge:  Trafficking Stolen Property, felony warrants

Synopsis:
Since April, 2014 the Richland Police Street Crimes Unit (SCU), assisted by detectives from the Metro Drug Task Force, have been investigating a series of retail thefts throughout the Tri-Cities.  The investigation led to the identification of Cano as a known “fence” for stolen property.  Information was received that Cano had stolen and sold 150-200 pair of men’s Levis jeans and had transported them to Mexico to be sold.  Cano had also arranged the theft of gas powered tools such as line trimmers and chain saws.

SCU investigators contacted employees of Fred Meyer (Kroger Corporation) who assisted in the acquisition of 20 pair of Levis jeans.  A detective from the Metro Drug Task Force assisted in setting up a sale of the merchandise to Cano at his home in Pasco for $200.  During the sale Cano asked if it would be possible to steal a Toro lawn mower, DeWalt reciprocating saw, and a pair of Chinook boots in size 9.  As the investigation progressed, Cano called and asked for Home Depot, Lowes, Fred Meyer and JC Penney gift cards.
Another controlled sale of jeans took place on June 25.  The Metro Drug Task Force assisted again in the transaction that included 21 pair of jeans.  During this sale Cano put the jeans into a shed and provided information on additional items he wanted the undercover personnel to steal.  JC Penney was identified as a source of some material but Cano warned the detectives to be careful due to the cameras in place to deter theft.

On June 26 officer served a search warrant at Cano’s home in Pasco.  Metro Drug Task Force detectives and Pasco PD personnel assisted Richland’s SCU (and RPD detective section) in the service of the warrant.   Cano and Shaffer were contacted inside a car in the alley near Cano’s home.  Shaffer stated that he was at the home to sell a jack that had been stolen earlier in the day from an auto parts store in Pasco and a DeWalt drill stolen from the Richland Home Depot.  He was taken into custody by Pasco PD.

Inside the home and shed located on the property were 136 pair of jeans, numerous pairs of new shoes, 3 lawn mowers, 4 line trimmers, 2 chain saws, 2 leaf blowers, Kobalt hand tools, 2 pressure washers, hedge trimmer, numerous Washington EBT cards, stolen gift cards, and a firearm stolen in a 2008 Richland case.  Over $40,000 in cash was scattered throughout the house.  Stolen property has an estimated value of over $20,000.

This case is part of a continuing retail theft and fraud investigation.  Members of Kroger Corporation (to include Fred Meyer and QFC) played a significant role in the apprehension of this individual and continue to be partners in combatting organized retail theft.
For additional information contact Capt. Mike Cobb, 942-7362.