Richland Police Investigate Burglary Series

Richland police are investigating a series of nine residential burglaries that occurred between July 13 and 16.  Many of the homes were occupied when the burglary occurred.  Several times the suspect entered a bedroom while the occupants were sleeping and removed things from tables next to their bed.  The homes are located in or near the Hills West area of south Richland.

The suspect is targeting homes that have unlocked doors.  Items taken include purses, wallets, cash, debit cards and electronic devices.

No suspect information is available.  Residents are asked to make sure all doors to their homes, garages and vehicles are securely locked at all times.  It is important to remove valuables from plain view. 

Suspicious people or activity should be immediately reported to the police by calling 911.

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

Level III Sex Offender Update

Sex Offender:  Shoemake, Richard Eugene  DOB/ 05-24-52   Hgt/ 5’10  Wgt/215  Hair/Bro  Eyes/Blu 

Date of release from prison:  01/06/2004

Address:  1900 Block of Pike Ave in Richland, Washington

Crime of Conviction:  Indecent Exposure in Benton County, Washington1^st degree Sexual Abuse and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in Umatilla County, Oregon

The Richland Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 and the Washington State Supreme Court decision in State vs Ward.  This decision authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offender’s release when they believe the information will enhance public safety.

The individual who appears in this release has been convicted of sex offenses that require registration with the Sheriff’s Office in the county where they reside.  Further, their previous criminal history places them in a classification level that reflects the potential to reoffend.

This release is meant as an update to a previous release sent out to the public on Richard Shoemake.  New information obtained indicates that Shoemake frequents area restaurants and has been witnessed communicating with minor aged females. 

The offender has served the sentence imposed by the Court and has advised the Benton County Sheriff’s Office they will be living at the location listed above.

Richard Shoemake is not wanted by the police at this time.  This notification is not intended to increase fear, but rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

The Richland Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender will live.  The offender is constitutionally free to live wherever they choose.

Sex offenders have always lived in our community.  It was not until the passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 that Law Enforcement even knew where they were living.  We are now able to share this information with you.

Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated.  Further, such abuse could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to do community notifications.  We believe the only person who wins if notification ends is the sex offender.

The Sexual Assault Response Center is available 24 hours a day to provide advocacy, information, referrals and crisis management for victims of sexual assault.  Their number is:  374-5391.

For any follow up information, please contact Capt. Mike Cobb, Richland Police Department.

Two Elderly Couples Victims of Burglary

Suspect:  Hispanic Male, heavy set, 5'10" to 5'11", early 50's
Suspect:  Hispanic Female, heavy set, 5'5" tall, mid-40's

Suspect vehicles:  unknown make and model pick up, unknown make and model white van

On July 9 Richland PD was contacted by Sunnyside PD and advised that two safes had been located in a dumpster in their city.  Both safes had been forced open but one still contained paperwork belonging to a resident in the 200 block of Goethals in Richland.  Contact was attempted with the residents of the home with no success.  On July 10 Richland officers were successful in contacting a victim on Goethals.  An elderly couple lived in the home and were attended part time by a friend of the family.

Officers asked if there were any safes in the residence.  The care taker answered that there were and went to check on them.  He discovered that they were both missing.  The safes were described as being approximately 2 feet square.  He believed that they contained coins, silver certificates and paperwork.

The care taker said that the suspects had made contact with the home several days earlier (July 7) and asked to perform some tree service work.  The female had spent time on the back porch of the home with the caretaker and it is presumed that this presented the opportunity for a suspect to take the safes.  In addition, the suspect has asked if he could exchange some $10 and $20 bills they had for a $100 bill.  After being told that there was no cash in the house, the couple left in a hurry.  No work was ever completed.

The caretaker of the couple stated that there were 2 children with an approximate age of 9-12 years of age with the couple.

Another case with a similar set of circumstances occurred on July 7 in the 100 block of Thayer Drive.  A couple with two children fitting the same description entered a back yard and spoke to a resident about performing some yard work.  He again asked if he could exchange some $20's for a $100.  The resident removed a $100 bill from a drawer (leaving five additional bills) and exchanged it for the suspect.  The female and two children entered the residence through the back drawer and created a small disturbance.  After leaving the elderly couple found that five $100 bills had been removed from the drawer where they were kept.

Based upon the suspect descriptions and details of the cases it appears as if these two incidents are related.  RPD investigators have been assigned the case for follow up.

If anyone has any additional information on these cases they are asked to contact Richland police at 509-628-0333.

For additional details, call Cpt. Mike Cobb, 942-7362

Richland man dies in fireworks related incident

Synopsis:

A 61 year old Richland man died last night in what appeared to be a fireworks related accident.

Richland police officers and medics responded to the area south of Gala Way and Westcliffe Blvd for a report of a man suffering from injuries received after a firework had exploded.  The officers and medics were not able to revive the male.  Medics declared the male dead at the scene.

Richland police bomb squad members were on duty and responded to the scene.  Richland police detectives also responded to the scene and are investigating the incident.

Posted by Sgt. Darryl Judge

Please contact Detective Sgt. Kevin Berger for further inquiries.