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.

Community Meeting - Sex Offender Jeffrey D. Smith

Jeffrey D. Smith

On August 19, 2013 the public was notified that Jeffrey D. Smith was upgraded from a Level I to a Level II Sexual Offender due to inappropriate comments and behavior in the area of the Horn Rapids Community Development. 

 

This information has generated requests from a significant number of concerned citizens.  To provide more information and answer relevant questions a Community Notification meeting will be held at the Richland Police Department on August 30, 2013 at 6:00 PM.  This meeting is open to the public and is an appropriate forum for those interested in additional information on Smith as well as other sexual offenders residing within the City of Richland. 

 

The Richland Police Department appreciates the assistance from our media partners in getting this notice to the public.

 

For additional information contact Cap. Mike Cobb at 509-942-7362.

Level II Sex Offender

Jeffrey D. Smith

Smith, Jeffrey D., 34 year of age male, 5'08", 235 lbs., Brown Hair, Hazel Eyes
Residence:  2800 Block of Monarch, Richland

Convictions:
Indecent Liberties, Fort Knox, KY - 07/08/2011
Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Fort Knox, KY - 07/08/2011

Smith currently resides in the Horn Rapids Community Development.  Smith's crimes were committed against an adult female while serving in the U.S. Army.  Smith was originally rated a Level I sexual offender but has been raised to a Level II after multiple reports of him making inappropriate sexual comments towards citizens and young children while facilitating the Horn Rapids Community Pool.  Smith is NOT currently on Department of Corrections supervision.

SMITH IS NOT WANTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS NOTICICE 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 Benton County Sheriff's Office or 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 call them at 509-374-5391 for support or information pertaining to sexual assault.

For additional information and safety tips regarding registered sex offenders in your area, log onto the Benton County Web Site at www.co.benton.wa.us  or contact Richland Police Department Detective Athena Clark at 509-942-7354 or via email at aclark@ci.richland.wa.us.

Media questions should be referred to Capt. Mike Cobb at 509-942-7362.

2 Arrested for Richland Vehicle Prowling, Drugs, Possession of Stolen Property

Arrested:  Gaines, Eric R., 23 year of age male, Pasco address
Charges:  Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Stolen Property, Vehicle Prowling

Arrested:  Fisher, Lidiya V., 22 year of age female, Pasco address
Charges:  Possession of Stolen Property, Vehicle Prowling

Synopsis:

On 8-17-2013 at approximately 4:20 AM Richland officers were called to a possible vehicle prowl in progress in the 1100 block of Country Ridge Drive.  The caller advised 911 that a male subject had pulled up and went dark near the mail box of 1101 Foxtrot Lane.  The male subject exited his vehicle and walked across the street. The witness observed him in the trunk of a vehicle and watched as he removed a bag and headed back to his car.

Officers contacted Gaines near the trunk of his vehicle.  Fisher was contacted sitting in the passenger seat.

In plain view officers found mail, car stereos, and tools that appeared to have been taken from cars in the area.  One resident positively identified the tools, a set of keys and a laser pointer found on Gaines' person.

Both subjects were arrested for vehicle prowling and possession of stolen property.  The vehicle they were in was impounded so that a warrant could be obtained to search it.  After being taken to the jail, methamphetamine was found in Gaines' wallet.

A search warrant was served on the vehicle.  Additional methamphetamine was found in the car along with stolen CD's and an amplifier.

Both subjects were booked into the  Benton County jail on the above charges.

Contact Capt. Mike Cobb, 509-942-7362 for additional information.

2014 RPD Citizens Academy applications are being accepted.

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 runs January 7th through 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. Richland PD's Citizen's Academy schedule has been determined and we are now accepting applications for the 2014 session. Applications will be accepted until the class is full. A background check is required. Applications may be mailed, or dropped off at the station. The mailing address is Richland PD, Attn. Ofc. Kane, 871 GEO WA Way, PO BOX 190, MS-17, Richland, WA 99352. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call Ofc. Kane at 509-942-7636.

Ignite Mentoring, Tim Bush Motors and RPD Partnership

Ignite Youth Mentoring has partnered with Tim Bush Motors and the Richland Police Department to provide an opportunity for 15 pairs of adults and young people in our community to complete the Ropes Challenge Course in Columbia Park.

This partnership provides a chance for the Ignite Mentor matches to increase their skills in teamwork and develop trust in people that support them.  A generous donation from Tim Bush Motors has made this adventure possible.  Members of the Richland Police Department will be on site to assist and provide some positive contacts with the members of law enforcement.

The Ropes Challenge course will be Saturday August 17 from 9:00 – 3:00.

For additional information contact Capt. Mike Cobb, 942-7362 or Todd Kleppin at 948-7888.

Hit and Run Investigation

Victim: Marissa Dillard Richland Resident 26 Years Old The Richland Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the driver from a hit-and-run accident that occurred on 8/13/13 at approximately 1030 AM in the area of Lee between Thayer and Snow. A skateboarder was crossing eastbound at the intersection when a car turned from westbound Lee into the intersection and either collided with or caused the skateboarder to fall. The driver was apparently using a cell phone at the time of the accident. The driver contacted the victim and offered the victim a ride and offered to give the victim money. The driver stated they could not stay because she had to pick up her children at a daycare. The victim road away with numerous scrapes and bruises, but soon went to the emergency room and was found to have sustained some significant injuries. The driver never called for police assistance and never identified herself to the victim. The suspect vehicle is a silver or gray early to late 2000 model Mercedes Benz 4 door sedan, possibly a C class. The vehicle has tinted windows and after-market rims. The driver is described as a white or Hispanic female with dark hair and dark eyes. She is believed to be in her late 20s to early 30s and is approximately 5-06 to 5-07 in height and about 120 pounds. Any information or witnesses to the collision should contact Corporal Erik Lundquist at the Richland Police Department at 942-7716.

Accident Swift/Wright

On 8/6/13 at 1120 hrs, Richland Police Department responded to a 4 car accident at Swift and Wright.  The investigation found that a 1997 Ford F150 operated by Cory Cleavenger of West Richland was north bound on Wright and failled to stop for the stop sign for north bound traffic.  A 2001 Mitsubishi was west bound on Swift operated by Adam Gutierrez of Richland, his vehicle struck the passenger side of the truck causing it to skid to the left striking a 1997 General Motors pickup operated by Garrett O'Rourke that was stopped for the stop sign in the south bound lane of Wright.  The Ford pickup rolled onto its top and sent pieces of the vehicles into a 1998 Honda operated by Timothy Gerds of Pasco that was approaching the intersection behind the pickup that was stopped for the south bound stop sign.  A 64 yr old female was transported from the scene by Richland Ambulance complaining of back injuries.  She was the passenger in O'Rourke's vehicle.