South-East Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force

On May 12^th, 2016 Stephen J. Castilleja (27) of Prosser Washington, was arrested by investigators of the South-East Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.  Assisting agencies included Kennewick PD, Richland PD, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. 

A search warrant was executed at Castilleja’s residence.  During the search of Castilleja’s residence, nude photographs depicting what appeared to be a minor child were located. The victim was known to Castilleja.  Castilleja is an employee of the Granger school district.  At this time there is no known correlation with the students of the Granger school district and this investigation. 

Castilleja was booked into the Benton County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing.  Please direct any questions to Lt. Chris Lee, Richland Police Department, chlee@ci.richland.wa.us or 509-554-8352.

Fraud Suspects Arrested

Arrested: 

Millan, Stevee M.; 23 year of age male; Portland OR address

Matamoro-Almaguer, Jesus E.; 30 year of age male; Portland, OR address

Charges:  Identity theft, 1^st Degree Theft

Synopsis:

On April 19, 20, 23 and 24 two males came through the Tri-Cities and used bank account numbers skimmed from local and regional gas station pumps.  The two made several thousands of dollars worth of purchases at area WalGreens and Bulington Coat Factory stores.

Investigators also believe they are actively committing similar frauds throughout the state.

On Friday May 6, 2016 the Richland Police Department learned that the suspects had checked into the Motel 6 at 1771 Fowler.  Investigators responded to the location and arrested Millan and Almaguer without incident.  A search warrant served on their motel room and vehicle recovered several pieces of evidence related to credit/debit card fraud.

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

One complication of an investigation of this type is difficulty in identifying victims. Most victims of fraud report the incident to their financial institution but not their local law enforcement agency.  This makes identification of the number of crimes and victims impossible. 

Anyone who believes that they might have been a victim of this series of crimes is encouraged to contact Detective Erik Lundquist at 509-942-7716.

Armed Robbery at Kwik Stop 2110 Swift Blvd, Richland

On Thursday February 11, 2016 at approximately 2252 hours the Kwik Stop at 2110 Swift Blvd, Richland was robbed at gunpoint.  Still photos have been obtained from video which shows 2 subjects enter the store and one subject display what appears to be a handgun.  While the photos are not the best quality the suspects may be identifiable by their clothing.  Both suspects appeared to be wearing masks at the time of the robbery.  The Richland Police Department would like to get these photos out to all the area news stations in hopes of generating suspect information.

Contact Detective Sergeant Carmen Ver Steeg if you have any questions. Email: Cversteeg@ci.richland.wa.us  Phone: 509-942-7545.

 

Welfare check on juvenile near Bateman Island

On February 9th, 2016 at about 09:00 hours Richland officers were dispatched to the area of 1237 Columbia Park Trail on a welfare check.  Officers were told a 9 year of age male was seen in the area of the river by himself and that the juvenile had told the caller he was skipping school.  Officers searched the area for the juvenile locating his father in the process who was also looking for him.  It was suspected the juvenile was hiding on Bateman Island to avoid his father.  Additional officers and resources were called to the area to help search.  The juvenile was located by officers hiding in an adjacent apartment complex parking lot.  He was unharmed and reunited with his family.  

Contact Lt. Chris Lee, 509-942-7614, chlee@ci.richland.wa.us with questions.

Registrations now being accepted for the April Crime Resistant Community Living Class

     The Richland Police Department is now accepting registrations for the Spring Crime Resistant Community Living Course sponsored by KPD, PPD and RPD. The class is being held at the Richland Library located at 955 Northgate Drive, Richland, WA on April 13th from 8 AM to 5 PM. Pre-registration is required. 

     This informative and very popular training for landlords, realtors and property managers is an 8-hour course involving topics such as crime resistant community living, gang & drug recognition, property tenant screening, tenant law and more!  Open to all landlords, realtors and commercial/residential property managers.

Registrations may be mailed to:

Ofc. Rick Kane
Richland Police Department
PO BOX 190, MS-17
Richland, WA 99354

or emailed to rkane@ci.richland.wa.us

Richland Police encourage citizens to be aware of a scam

Synopsis: 

On 02/02/16, Richland officers received complaints of a scam designed to defraud citizens by threatening to have them arrested.  Officers learned the scammers are calling citizens and telling them they represent a Texas-based law firm who has been contracted with “The local law enforcement agency” to collect outstanding debts.  The scammers pressure the citizen by telling them to make a payment to another vendor or they will be arrested within a couple of hours.  The scam is reported to seem more credible because some of the citizen’s information is known by the scammer.

The Richland Police, Kennewick Police, or the Benton County Sheriff’s Office do not contract with any law firms or third party agencies to collect warrant fines in lieu of arrest.

Posted by:

Sgt. Darryl Judge

Richland Police arrest another escaped felon in a stolen vehicle

Arrested:  Brian C. Mares   10/28/79   Seattle area resident

Charges:  Felony warrant for escape (original charge-violation of a court order), auto theft, and resisting arrest

Synopsis:  This morning at about 0645 hours, RPD units were dispatched to an auto theft in the 400 block of Smith.  RPD officers learned the suspect had prowled several vehicles in the area before stealing the vehicle.  The same vehicle was used in different crimes throughout the day in the Tri-Cities Area.

At about 1455 hours, RPD officers located the stolen vehicle in the 2100 block of Trippe Street.  When officers attempted to arrest the male he took off running.  Officers caught the male who physically resisted arrest. 

The male was treated at Kadlec and was eventually booked into the Benton County Jail on the above listed charges.

Other charges will follow once those investigations are complete.

Posted by:  Sgt. Darryl Judge

Richland police arrest two wanted subjects after a disturbance

Arrested: Joshua M. Chavez  09/02/87   &  Kayla M. Monk  05/24/88

Charges:  Chavez-Felony warrant for escape (original charge of robbery)
Monk-Felony warrant for escape (original charge of possession of a controlled substance)

Outstanding suspect male: Casey T. Mallone  08/01/91-Felony warrant for escape (original charge of possession of a stolen vehicle and bail jumping)

Synopsis:

On 01/19/16, at about 0610 hours, Richland Police officers were dispatched to a disturbance at 2550 Duportail #B209.  The caller advised there were three people trying to come back to her residence after they had left earlier.  The caller had socialized with the group earlier in the night.  The caller reported being concerned the trio may try to rob her.

Officers arrived in the area and learned the trio had fled prior to their arrival.  Officers learned the identity of the trio and learned all three were escaped cons who were wanted for felony crimes.  Officers also learned the trio were trying to flee the area.

Officers set up containment of the area and requested assistance from the Kennewick Police Department's K-9 unit and the Benton County Sheriff's deputies.

As the K-9 was arriving, one of the trio, Kayla Monk, surrendered to officers and was arrested without incident.  As the K-9 unit tracked west of the apartment complex, another one of the trio jumped over a fence and surrendered to containment units to avoid being captured by the K-9.  With the assistance of the K-9, officers completed searching the area and were unable to locate the final suspect, Casey T. Mallone. 

Posted by: Sgt. Darryl Judge

Assault with sexual motivation arrest

Arrested: Tho P. Tran a 44 year old male

Charges: Assault with sexual motivation and resisting arrest

Synopsis:  This afternoon, Richland Police Department officers were dispatched to the 1800 block of George Washington Way for a report of an assault which just occurred.  The suspect lured an employee out of a store by asking for help and grabbed her chest when she exited.

Officers recognized the description given of the suspect from a similar report they investigated earlier in the week.

Officers located the suspect walking southbound in the 1700 block of Jadwin.  After completing their investigation, officers placed the suspect under arrest.  The suspect resisted arrest.  After gaining control of the suspect, officers booked the male into the Benton County Jail.

Posted by: Sgt. Darryl Judge

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.