Halloween Safety and Fun Community Event

Richland PD's Community Services Unit is inviting children to stop by the Police Station between the hours of 3 PM and 6 PM on October 31, 2013. Our goal is to host an event that will allow us to promote Halloween, child and personal safety.  There will be a patrol car for the kids to look at, flyer's & coloring books on safety topics for both the kids and their parents & since it is Halloween we will even have some candy for the kids. 

RPD is excited to interact with the citizens of this great community and their children.  If you have any questions about this event contact Ofc. Rick Kane.

2014 Citizens Academy Now Accepting Applications

The 2014 Citizens Academy is now accepting applications for enrollment. If you are like most folks, you probably haven’t had the occasion to learn much about the workings of your police department, the criminal justice system, or the emergency response system in your community.  For Richland citizens, your police department offers an annual twelve-session Citizens’ Police Academy which begins in January 7th and continues into March 25th.  The Academy classes are held Tuesday night of each week, and one Saturday session toward the end of the Academy. Attendance is limited; priority attendance will be given to current Richland residents and those who have not attended before.  These positions are filled on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you’re interested don’t delay!  To apply, complete the app below and mail to Richland PD, Attn. Ofc. Rick Kane, PO BOX 190, MS-17, Richland, WA 99352, or drop it off at the station.

Distracted Driving Education

 

The Richland Police Department Traffic Safety Unit is asking you to please put down the cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.  The Washington State Law RCW 46.61.667 Using a wireless communications device while driving and RCW 46.61.668 Texting while driving while cost you $124.00 fine.  We remind you that drivers with an Intermediate License cannot use a cell phone while driving even hands free.  

Parents please watch the attached video of a family dealing with the loss of a child due to texting while driving.  Please talk with your children about this video and the consequences texting could cause your family. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT0k--HnHrM 

What is distracted driving?
Distraction occurs any time you take your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely. Any non-driving activity you engage in is a potential distraction and increases your risk of crashing

Who are the most serious offenders?
Our youngest and most inexperienced drivers are most at risk, with 16% of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under 20. But they are not alone. At any given moment during daylight hours, over 800,000 vehicles are being driven by someone using a hand-held cell phone.

Sending or reading one text is pretty quick, unlike a phone conversation - wouldn't that be okay?
Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distraction simultaneously. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field, blindfolded. It's extraordinarily dangerous. If you have any questions regarding this program please contact Cpl. Scott Morrell at 509-942-7715.

 

                                       

 

 

Subjects Arrested on Warrants and Meth

Arrested:  Ayers, Casey Michelle; 30 year of age female, Richland Resident

Warrants:  2 Felony warrants for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Felony warrant for ID Theft, Felony warrant for Theft of a Motor Vehicle

Arrested: Coffey, Brandon Lloyd; 23 year of age male, Kennewick address

Charge:  Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine)

Synopsis:

On 9-29-13 at about 5:10 PM officers made a traffic stop in the area of Putnam and Wright in Richland.  The reason for the stop was several equipment violations.  Ayers and Coffey were passengers in the vehicle.

After citing the driver for equipment violations the officers began speaking with Ayers and Coffey.  Ayers admitted to having 4 warrants out for her arrest.  Those warrants were confirmed and Ayers was taken from the vehicle.  As she was exiting, officer noticed a syringe containing a clear liquid on the floorboards at the feet of Coffey.  He was also taken into custody.

After a brief interview, Ayers was booked into the Benton County jail.  Coffey was later released and charges will be forwarded to the Benton County Prosecutor for review.  The vehicle driven by Misty Schneider was impounded pending execution of a search warrant.

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

Richland Police Investigate Homicide

Arrested:  Miller, Lawrence A., 34 year of age male, Richland resident

Charge:  Murder 2

Victim:  Vandeventer, Rebeca; 32 year of age female, Richland resident

Synopsis:

On 9-11-13 at approximately 11:30 PM officers responded to a suspicious circumstance / welfare check in the 1100 block of Dos Palos Ct. in Richland.  A neighbor had reported that three children, ages 2, 4 and 8 had come to her door crying and said that their mother was dead.  Upon arrival officers contacted several small children who were upset and crying.

Officers went to the apartment that the children had pointed out to them and found a female, later identified as Vandeventer, laying on the floor.  The 32 year of age female had suffered multiple stab wounds and was unresponsive.  No suspect was present at the scene.  Richland FD medics were called to the scene and confirmed that the female was deceased.  Members of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and West Richland PD also responded to assist.

Miller ultimately drove to the Richland Police Department where he was taken into custody without further incident. 

Richland PD detectives were called in to aid Field Operations staff manage the crime scene and lead the investigation.  The WSP Crime Lab was called and has responded to help process the crime scene.

After consulting with the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, Miller was booked into the Benton County jail on a 72 hour hold for investigation of 2^nd Degree Murder.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday September 13, 2013.

At this time a press briefing is tentatively scheduled for Monday September 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM at the Benton County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation is continuing.

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

 

2 Injured in Richland Stabbing Incident

Arrested:  Norman, Timothy J., 23 year of age male, Richland resident

Victim:  Withers, Cameron S., 36 year of age male, Richland resident

Victim:  Jetton, Richard M., 49 year of age male, Richland resident

Charge:  Assault 2 (two counts) / Domestic Violence

Synopsis:

On 9-11-13 at approximately 11:40 PM Richland officers were advised of a stabbing in progress in the 1300 block of Carolina Ave.  Richland officers had a delayed response since they were involved investigating a homicide in the 1100 block of Dos Palos Ct. Members of Kennewick PD’s CAT team, and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist.  Upon arrival investigators found that a fight had ensued between Norman, Cameron Withers, Richard Jetton and a transient acquaintance Tyson Baker.  Norman had been hitting Withers when Baker and Jetton interceded.  Baker and Withers were able to calm Norman and thought that the conflict was over. 

After a few minutes Norman again became combative and pulled a knife from his waistband. He began to assault Withers a second time.  Baker and Jetton intervened and Jetton was stabbed in the right hand.  Withers also sustained several lacerations to the top of his head.  The three were able to disarm Norman and restrain him until officers arrived on scene.

Norman was taken into custody.  After consulting with the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office he was held on a 72 hour investigative hold for Assault 2.  Norman was transported to the Benton County Jail by a member of the Kennewick PD CAT team. 

Both victims were treated and released.  The DV enhancement is due to the fact Norman and Withers are married and Jetton is a roommate. 

 For additional information, contact Cpt. Mike Cobb, 942-7362

Boat Prowling Arrest Made in Richland

Arrested:  Higgins, James A.; 32 year of age male, Transient

Charges:  2 counts of vehicle prowling, making false and misleading statements to police, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass

Synopsis:

On 8-24-2013 at about 11:20 AM Richland officers responded to the area of the Columbia Park Trail Marina, 1776 CPT, for a call of an unknown male rummaging through boats on two different docks that are not open to the public.

Upon arrival officers contacted Higgins under the steering column of a boat removing electronics.  He initially identified himself as the boat’s owner from a registration found in the dashboard.  Higgins was displaying signs of being under the influence of drugs.  Higgins was found to be in possession of a number of items.

After Higgins was arrested one of the boat owners was contacted and identified a bag of tools, an anchor, trolling motor controller, a fishing rod and reel, 2 life vests, dock hook, oar, and miscellaneous hand tools all had been removed from his boat.  They were found on the boat Higgins was arrested off of and returned to the owner.

Higgins was transported to the Benton County jail where he was booked on the above listed charges.

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