Richland Police Department Drug Take Back Day Saturday, September 26th from 10 AM to 2 PM

     The Richland Police Department's DEA Drug Take Back event is this Saturday, September 26th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  The event is being held at the police station located at 871 George Washington Way.  We will be accepting prescription and over the counter medications. Needles will not be accepted.

For more information on the initiative visit:
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/

Chill With a Cop on October 2nd From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Richland Country Mercantile

     Please join Chief Chris Skinner and his staff for Chill With a Cop on October 2nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Richland Country Mercantile located at 5015 Ava Way, Richland, WA.  Join your neighbors and police staff for ice cream and conversation.  No agenda, or speeches; just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns, and get to know your local officer's and Chief Skinner.

     For those unfamiliar with the location an easy way to find the location is via I-82.  Take the Dallas Rd exit and follow the store signs.

Search Warrants Recover Stolen Property

Arrested:  Pitman, Jeremy W, 33 year of age male, Transient

Arrested:  Moore, Jereme S, 34 year of age male, West Richland resident

Synopsis:
Richland Police investigators have been working on leads from several commercial and residential burglaries for the past 7-10 days.  Pitman had been identified as a viable suspect in several of the crimes under investigation. 

On September 15, 2015 at about 11:00 AM patrol units responded to a call in the 1600 block of Butternut Ave for a suspicious person.  Witnesses had observed a male in the area going onto a neighbor’s property.  The witness noted that he was not familiar with the subject as being seen in the neighborhood before and found is suspicious when he stepped up onto an object and began peering through the windows of the home.

Responding officers found an open window that had a screen removed.  Officers found Pitman hiding in the basement.  He was arrested without incident.  His arrest lead to additional search warrants and the recovery of a large amount of stolen property.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for 10 N. 46^th Ave. in West Richland. A 12 gauge shotgun, an assault rifle and a handgun were among the items stolen in recent burglaries and believed to be in the house.  Due to the threat posed by the location, possible weapons and the criminal history of the occupants the Tri-City Regional SWAT team assisted Richland and West Richland officers serve the warrant early this morning.

Jereme Moore was located inside.  He was taken into custody on Possession of Stolen Property charges.  Both subjects have been booked into the Benton County jail.

A large number of stolen items were found at the location.  The scene is still being processed by investigators from RPD and WRPD.  Items include electronics, wire, yard maintenance equipment and a significant number of hand tools that appear to have been stolen from construction sites.  No weapons have been found at this time.

More information will be published as it becomes available.

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

Improvised Explosive Devices Found

X-Ray Photo of Improvised Explosive Device

 On September 14, 2015 at approximately 11:56 PM Richland Police were dispatched to a call of a vehicle fire in the area of the 100 block of Riverwood St.  A witness who heard glass breaking came out and saw a passenger car on fire.  He discharged a fire extinguisher into the interior and knocked the fire down.  Richland firefighters finished putting the fire out.   

Responding officers found a tennis ball on the driver’s seat of the vehicle.  It appeared that the tennis ball had been filled with some type of substance that caused it to explode and ignite the interior of the vehicle.

RPD officers began searching the neighborhood and found that another window had been broken out.  They found what appeared to be an explosive device inside a pick up.  The device was the size of a ping pong ball, filled with BB’s and had nails affixed to the outside.  The device also had a partially burned fuse attached.  Officers secured the area and called for the RPD Bomb Squad and an Arson investigator.  Bomb techs were able to render the device safe.

There were a number of other vehicles (approximately 12) in the area that sustained damage to windows or the exterior. 

The investigation is continuing.  Anyone with information is asked to call Richland Police at 509-942-7340.

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

2016 Citizen's Academy

The Richland Police Department is now accepting applications for the 2016 Citizens Academy. Each year this class fills quickly so we encourage those interested to apply as soon as possible. The academy will take place on Tuesday nights starting January 5, 2016 at 7 PM and continue until March 15, 2016.  Topics covered include patrol, metro, investigations, bomb squad, SWAT, community services, the court system and much more.  Priority is given to Richland Residents and those who have not attended before.  A criminal background check is required.  You may mail, or drop off the application to/at Richland Police Department, Attn. Ofc, Kane, PO BOX 190, MS-17, Richland, WA 99352.

Posted by Community Services Officer Kane