Man Stabbed By Girlfriend

ARRESTED/CHARGED: Peterson, Jessica A, 26 years old, Richland

CHARGES:  Assault 1st Degree, Domestic Violence

SYNOPSIS:  On 11/20/12 at about 1940 hr the victim was in his apartment with his girlfriend, Jessica A. Peterson, when she grabbed a knife from the butcher block and stabbed him in the chest.  The victim drove himself to the hospital, where he was treated and released later in the evening.  Officers from the Richland Police Department executed a search warrant at the apartment to recover evidence of the assault.  The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival and her current whereabouts are unknown.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFO CONTACT:  Sgt. Mike Harrison, 942-7367

RPD Officers Arrest Eluding Suspect in Stolen Vehicle

Arrested:  Diaz, Rafael O., 23 year of age male, Wapato address

Charges:  Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing, Possession of Stolen Property.

On November 19, 2012 at approximately 12:30 AM Richland officers were advised via police radio that a theft had occurred in Kennewick.  Kennewick also provided a suspect vehicle description of a white Ford pickup that had no taillights.  A Richland officer found a vehicle matching the description traveling west on I-182 near SR 240.  The officer caught up to the truck as it took the S/B Queensgate exit.

As the officer followed, the truck drove immediately back onto I-182 travelling east.  The officer activated his emergency lights and the truck failed to yield.  In an attempt to stop the suspect vehicle the officer turned on his siren.  The truck accelerated and attempted to flee.  A short pursuit ensued with spike strips being successfully deployed in the area of George Washington Way and I-182.    Though running on deflated tires, the truck continued north on Jadwin ultimately coming to a stop at Van Giesen and George Washington Way.  The driver fled on foot.

Richland officers gave chase and the suspect was taken into custody a few blocks away.  He was in possession of a wallet that belonged to another individual.  Inside the truck officers could see the same brand of beer taken in the Kennewick theft, wallets, a purse and electronics that appear to have been stolen.  The truck was impounded until a search warrant can be applied for.  The truck was confirmed as a stolen vehicle from the jurisdiction of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

Diaz was booked into the Benton County Jail a 72 hour hold for Eluding.

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

2 Juveniles Struck in Crosswalk

At about 6:45 AM two seventeen year old males were crossing Jadwin St. at Wilson.  The two were in a crosswalk and were heading to Richland High School.  A 1993 Plymouth Acclaim driven by 42 year old Juan Ramirez of Richland was travelling southbound on Jadwin.  Ramirez did not immediately see the two juveniles but was slowing as he struck them.  One male had his feet hit, the second went up onto the hood and hit the windshield of the car.

Both subjects were transported by RFD paramedics to Kadlec hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The initial investigation shows that speed was not a factor in the collision.  It appears that wet roadway conditions, darkness and driver inattention all contributed to Ramirez not seeing the subjects crossing the street.

Though the incident happened in front of Chief Joseph Middle School, the school zone lights were not activated (not within the hours programmed for operation).

Since the investigation is ongoing, no infractions have been issued at this time.

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