Sheriff's Report - August 30 and 31, 2002

compiled by Penny Chambers

Burglary - July 30: A well-pump and treatment unit was stolen from Kapowsin Grocery in Graham. The suspects were crude in their removal of the pump, breaking pipes after entering the pump house through an unlocked door located behind the store.
License Plate Theft - July 30: The rear license plate was taken from a parked car at a home on SR706 East in Ashford.
Vandalism - Unknown suspect(s) punctured three tires on two different Saab automobiles parked at a residence on 279th Street East in Graham.
Fraud/Identity Theft - July 30: A deputy sheriff stopped a Datsun "Z" car with Oregon plates for a routine violation, "unsafe backing". The driver, a pregnant 29-year-old white female from Graham, told the officer that she didn't have her drivers license or any other form of I.D. with her, but gave the officer her name, birth date and home address which all checked out. The officer cited the woman for three infractions, unsafe backing, no insurance and license not in immediate possession. She signed the ticket and drove off. Approximately three and a half hours later sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Puerto Vallarta restaurant in Graham. Two women were trying to pay for their meal with a forged check. Before the deputies arrival at the restaurant, one of the women got away, escaping in a Datsun "Z" car with Oregon plates. The other woman was caught at a nearby pay phone. When employees of Puerto Vallarta gave their description of the women, a deputy realized that one of them was the same woman he had pulled over earlier; she was even wearing the same red shirt and red pants. The second woman, at the pay phone, told officers the true name of the woman who had escaped and who, had given the deputy a the name, address and birth date of one of her sister's friends. Later that evening the same deputy contacted members of PC Community Support Team (CST) who were on 70th Ave. East in Graham contacting a subject with outstanding arrest warrants. Members of CST knew of the woman who had escaped from Puerto Vallarta and were able to give the deputy an address where she might be staying. Upon going to that address the deputy found the woman and arrested her for fraud and identity theft. She also had three outstanding arrest warrants for theft and her driver's license was suspended. She admitted to the arresting officer that she has at least thirteen alias names she uses.
Vandalism - July 31: Unknown person(s) broke dusk yard lamps and damaged shrubs at a residence on 50th Ave. East, between 245th and 249th in Graham.
Burglary/Forced Entry - July 31: Unknown suspect(s) entered a home on 120th Ave. Court East in Graham by prying open the front door with a screwdriver. The master bedroom was ransacked but numerous high value items were left untouched. A back bedroom window also had been pried open, but it didn't appear that the suspects entered through it. Various jewelry items were stolen, the value of which is still being assessed.
Criminal Arrest Warrant - July 31: A 21-year-old white male from Graham was arrested after being stopped by an officer for excessive speeding and driving over the centerline on 304th and Meridian. The arrestee gave the officer a false name, his brother's, and then admitted he had lied. He had three outstanding arrest warrants, two for assault, one for obstructing and had a suspended drivers license. He was transported to Pierce County jail and booked. A female passenger, also with a suspended drivers license was released and left on foot, while the automobile was secured at the scene.
Assault - July 31: Two stepbrothers ages 18 and 16 were walking home from Safeway in Graham when confronted by a white male with brown hair, approximately aged 20 - 26. The suspect struck the 18-year-old several times in the head and face, saying the young male had said bad things about him. The two males said they had seen the suspect in the area walking around the railroad tracks near a mobile home park, but think he might be homeless. The victim stated that he didn't really know him and didn't know what the man meant by "saying bad things." The suspect ran off after the assault and is still at large.

"Pity the poor kids who grow up in a big city. They miss the little things that made growing up in a small town, ah, so wonderful."
~Tom Morrow