Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Attempted Buglary--Man with a Sword


On 01-05-2016 at about 2:48 p.m., Richland Police responded to the area of Williams Blvd. and Stevens Dr. for a 911-reported suspicious male with a sword call.  Updated information placed the male at the CUP Church and in the area of a daycare.  The male, later identified as twenty-nine-year-old Steven L. Houtrouw, was attempting to force entry into the building by pounding on the exterior windows and doors of the daycare with the sword.  The daycare was placed into a Critical Lockdown and Houtrouw walked from the area.

RPD officers began searching the area and located Houtrouw in the 1100 block of Long Ave. at Christ the King School.  The male was still wielding the katana-style sword and appeared to be an emotionally disturbed person (EDP).  Christ the King School was placed into a Critical Lockdown.

Officers attempted to calm Houtrouw down and gain control of him, but he refused to put the sword down.  Houtrouw expressed thoughts of suicidal ideation and yelled at the officers to shoot him.  Unable to de-escalate the emotionally charged Houtrouw, Officers deployed ECW’s (AKA Taser’s) on Houtrouw.  Houtrouw dropped the sword and was taken to the ground by Officers, where he continued to resist efforts to control him.  Additional Officers arrived and Houtrouw was taken into custody without further incident.

Once Houtrouw is medically cleared at Kadlec, he will be booked into the Benton County Jail on multiple charges for the attempted Burglary and Weapons violations.  The case will be forwarded for evaluation by Designated Mental Health Professionals.


Questions or comments can be directed to Lt. Curtis Smith at csmith@ci.richland.wa.us.