Meth Suspect Armed with Brass Knuckles

Arrested:  Vela, Juan J; 27 year of age male, Pasco resident

Charge: Possession of a Controlled Substance (meth), Possession of a Dangerous Weapon (brass knuckles), Kennewick PD Warrant (DWLS), Benton County SO Warrant (DWLS).

Synopsis:

On January 25, 2013 at approximately 9:20 PM officers responded to a call of a suspicious person in the 1600 block of Davison St.  A subject, later identified as Vela, was going door to door asking for fuel and directions to the nearest gas station.  Since the subject was going to multiple houses and speaking with various residents it appeared as if he were “casing” the area. 

Officers made contact with Vela and asked if he had any weapons.  He replied that he did and two sets of brass knuckles were removed from his coat pockets.  Vela refused to tell investigating officers why he had armed himself with the brass knuckles.  

A check on Vela also showed him to have two warrants for his arrest.  After being taken into custody two baggies of meth were found in his pocket as well.

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

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

Gang Members Arrested in Richland

Arrested:  Galvez, David R; 27 year of age male, Pasco resident

Arrested:  Valdez, Israel; 22 year of age male, West Richland resident

Charges:  Disorderly Conduct, Harassment, Obstructing

Arrested:  Navarrete, Amalia I; 26 year of age female, Pasco resident

Charge:  DWLS 3^rd

Synopsis:

On January 27, 2013 at approximately 1:55 AM officers received a call of two males in the area of Jack in the Box restaurant, 49 Columbia Point Dr. dressed in blue creating a disturbance.  The subjects were yelling “Southside” and had been pounding on cars in the area.  A loud noise was heard in the area and the caller stated that they thought it may have been a gunshot.

As officers arrived they saw two subjects matching the description walking on Armistead St.  When ordered to stop Galvez complied and was detained while Valdez began running.  After a brief foot pursuit, Valdez was caught and taken into custody.

Interviews with witnesses at the scene indicated that both Galvez and Valdez were banging on cars and windows in the drive through lane at Jack in the Box.  They were threatening to kill the occupants of the vehicles and yelling gang related statements (both are confirmed gang members).  Both subjects appeared to under the influence of alcohol.

Navarrete and another female drove into the area and were contacted by officers.  She said that Valdez was her boyfriend and that she was in the area looking for him.  A subsequent driver’s check showed her driving status to be suspended.  She was cited for DWLS 3^rd degree and released.

Galvez and Valdez were booked into the Benton County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Harassment.  Valdez was also charged with Obstructing for running from the police.

No evidence of a weapon or gunfire was ever found. 

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

Methamphetamine Arrest

Arrested:  McIntosh, Kathleen M; 24 year of age female, Richland address
Charges:  Possession of Methamphetamine, DUI, Criminal Trespass

Synopsis:

On 1-22-2013, at approximately 1:30 PM, officers responded to 475 Bradley Blvd. on a call of a suspicious person.  Employees at the location observed a black Mazda passenger car pull into the parking lot and a female, later identified as McIntosh, begin pulling things from the dumpster.

McIntosh was contacted inside the business.  In speaking with McIntosh it appeared that she was under the influence of a controlled substance.  In her possession was a black purse and a black backpack. When she was asked for ID she stated that she had none and did not know who the purse belonged to.  She claimed the other items in her possession belonged to a friend. McIntosh stated that she had pulled into the parking lot to dump trash into the dumpster but had no legitimate reason to be at the business.

McIntosh was detained for investigation of trespass and DUI.  The purse in her possession was opened to determine ownership and two glass meth pipes containing a small amount of methamphetamine were found inside the purse.  The search was stopped and a warrant obtained.

McIntosh was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, DUI and criminal trespass.  No other contraband was found in her possession or in her vehicle.  She was transported to Benton County jail.

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

SWAT Standoff in Richland

Arrested:  Garza, Ricco; 23 year of age male, Richland resident
Charges:  Fugitive from Justice from Florida (US Marshall's Office), Federal Firearms Violation Warrant (US Marshall's Office), Fail to Register as a Sex Offender Warrant (Richland PD)

On 1-22-2013 at approximately 3:30 PM members of the US Marshall's Service and the Richland Police Department attempted to serve the above warrants on Garza in the 400 block of Smith Ave.  The Marshall's Service had tracked Garza from Florida to Portland, OR and then to the Tri-Cities.  Garza was wanted on Federal firearms violations and has an outstanding warrant from Richland PD for failing to register as a sex offender.

Garza refused to exit the residence and had with him his 14 year of age male cousin.  Garza was armed with a handgun and has a history of violence and gang affiliations.  Due to the circumstances of the case, the Tri-City Regional SWAT team was called to assist.  The SWAT team deployed and negotiations continued with the suspect.

After negotiating for approximately 1 hour the subject, accompanied by the 14 year old male came out of the residence.  He was taken into custody without further incident.  Garza was transported to the Benton County jail and booked on the above Federal and local charges.

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

Kidnapping Suspect In Custody

Arrested:  Sparks, Aaron M.; 33 year of age male, Richland resident
Charges:  First Degree Kidnapping, Attempted First Degree Rape

Synopsis:

On January 2, 2013 a female was attacked outside of her home in the 1000 block of Potter Ave.  Through the subsequent criminal investigation Sparks was identified as a possible suspect.  Sparks is a co-worker with the victim in the kidnapping.  A red Toyota Echo was reported being seen in the area where family members had chased the suspect.  Sparks drives a red Echo.  Based upon information gained during the investigation, an attempt to locate order was entered into the NCIC computer system.

Sparks was reported as a missing person by family members.  Multiple attempts had been made to contact Sparks at his residence and on his cell phone with no luck.  Relatives also reported that Sparks' vehicle was missing from his residence.

Richland PD was contacted by the Missoula, MT Police Department.  They had received a call that an individual was being treated for self-inflicted wounds.  They were able to identify the subject as Sparks. Richland coordinated with the Benton County Prosecutor's Office to obtain an arrest warrant.  Sparks was held on the warrant.  A red Toyota Echo was being operated by Sparks.

A search warrant was served on the suspect's residence.  Inside police found a box for a stun gun similar to the one reported by the victim, clothing matching the description of what the suspect was wearing at the time of the kidnapping, proof of purchase of gloves similar to those recovered at the scene, handcuffs and a suicide note.

Sparks is currently in custody in Montana.  A search warrant for his vehicle is pending.  Richland Police investigators are working with members of the Benton County Prosecutor's Office to coordinate Sparks' return to Washington.

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

Attempted Abduction in Richland

Suspect:  White male, 30-40 years of age, 5'09" to 5'11", 190-200 lbs
Last Wearing:  Dark shirt with white undershirt, blue jeans

Synopsis:

On 1-2-2013 at approximately 4:30 AM officers responded to the 1000 block of Potter Ave. on a report of an attempted abduction.  A female told investigators that she was getting into her vehicle preparing to leave for work when a subject approached her on foot.  He was wearing a dark colored mask and gloves.  The subject grabbed her and tried to force her into the car.  The victim began struggling with the suspect who fought with her and used what was described as a hand held stun gun on her.

The victim was able to activate the panic button on her key fob causing the alarm system on her vehicle to activate.  Family members of the victim came out of the residence and began chasing the subject.  The suspect ran into the area of the 1200 block of Perkins Ave. where his pursuers lost sight of him.

As the victim struggled with the suspect she was able to pull his mask off.  His gloves also came off in the fight.  All three pieces of evidence were recovered at the scene.  The victim sustained injuries to her hands and face but did not require medical attention.

No vehicle is associated with the suspect.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Richland Police Department at 509-628-0333.

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

Suspect Fires Handgun at Couple

Suspect:  Linderman, Richard D (AKA Linderman, Steve P) 41 year of age male, 5-08, 220 lbs, brown eyes, brown hair (often has a shaved head) beard, Transient

Synopsis:

On 1-1-2013 at approximately 4:30 PM two subjects were sitting in a vehicle in the 400 block of Thayer Drive.  The two observed a passenger car pull over close to their location and watched as Linderman got out of the car and began walking towards them.  Linderman is the ex-boyfriend of the female driver. The two saw Linderman pull out a dark colored semi-automatic handgun and point it at them.  The two victims attempted to leave the area in their car.  As the vehicle was leaving, the passenger ducked down in the seat, heard a gunshot and saw smoke after he sat up and looked in the direction of Linderman.   The driver also reported seeing Linderman holding a semi-auto pistol.

After firing at the couple, Linderman got back into the passenger car and fled northbound on Thayer Dr.  The victim’s parents were inside a residence directly adjacent to the victim vehicle and reported hearing what they believed to be a gunshot.

No shell casing or bullet impact point has been located by investigators but independent witnesses have confirmed at least one shot was fired.  Neither victim was injured. 

Linderman has made statements that he will not be sent back to jail.  He should be considered armed and dangerous.

A photo of Linderman is attached.  If anyone has information on his location they are asked to contact the Richland Police Department at 509-628-0333. 

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

Richard Linderman

Richard Linderman