Ritzville Police Department Report

March 15, 3:31 p.m. – Complainant on East Birch Avenue called to request extra patrols in the area to due vehicle driving at a high rate when going to the Hagg baseball field. Chief Dave McCormick contacted the coaches for the girls and boys teams that play and practice at the field. Chief McCormick informed the coaches of the complaint. The coaches and several players assured there would be no further problems.

March 15, 11:41 a.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a suspicious 911 hang up call from Room 9 at the Ritzville Grade School. Upon arrival, Chief McCormick contacted the staff at the school. It was determined there were two students in Room 9 and one of them had tried to call home. Another student was trying to assist and pushed a wrong series of numbers the first time, then got through to their home. Chief McCormick determined there were no problems at the school and made the staff aware of the situation. Both students were apologetic for their mistake.

March 15, 11:07 a.m. –

Chief McCormick responded to a possible trespassing call in the 100 block of West Galbreath Way at Circle K. Complainant advised of a female subject with a long coat that walks around picking up cigarette butts and buying beer. The complainant is concerned about the subjects living arrangements and welfare, but wants the subject to not loiter and pick up cigarette butts anymore. Chief McCormick determined the subject to be living at the Colwell Motel. Chief McCormick advised the complainant when he can locate the subject he will discuss the situation.

March 14, 12:03 p.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible theft in the 300 block of East Eighth Avenue. Upon contact, the complainant advised several packages of cigarettes have been stolen out of their van while parked in front of their residence. The complainant further stated they buy cigarettes by the carton and give them to people that cannot afford them. The value of the stolen cigarettes is $100. Chief McCormick advised the complainant to not leave valuables in plain view and to lock the vehicle.

March 13, 7:31 p.m. – Officer Tom Gracie responded to a malicious mischief call in the 100 block of West First Avenue at Ace Hardware. Dispatch advised of several juveniles loitering outside the business and kicking the side of the building. The juveniles were gone prior to Officer Gracie’s arrival. Officer Gracie did not observe any damage to the building and cleared.

March 13, 5:23 p.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a disorderly conduct call in the 200 block of East Second Avenue. Complainant advised the past two Sundays, during church service, a white male subject with a beard, has come into the sanctuary demanding whomever is parked in his parking spot needs to get outside and move their car. Chief McCormick was familiar with the subject and their dislike for law enforcement and contacted the subjects’ mother and explained the situation. Chief McCormick further explained anyone has the right to park on a public street unless designated by proper and approved signage. The mother stated they understood and would remedy the situation.

March 13, 4:21 p.m. –

Chief McCormick responded to a possible hazardous condition in the 400 block of West Broadway Avenue. Complainant advised of a white powdery substance blowing off the new metal tower platform below their property in the airstrip industrial area. Upon investigation, Chief McCormick determined the tower was a portable hopper tank used to transfer loads from semi trailers to smaller hopper trucks that are used to fill planes for aerial fertilizer application. It does not pose any significant health hazard and the hopper tank is only temporary. Chief McCormick advised the complainant of the findings.

March 13, 10:16 a.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible threatening situation in the 200 block of East Wellsandt Road at the high school. The complainant advised they gave a student a warning to not skateboard and sit in the middle of the street. The student responded by yelling and cussing at the complainant. The complainant further stated the student was then requested to report to the office for suspension hearing when they refused, they were sent home. The subject’s mother later called and left a cruel and threatening message. Chief McCormick made several attempts to contact the mother to discuss the situation but she refused. The mother advised her son would not be returning to school and they would be leaving the area.

March 13, 9:17 a.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible fraud in the 200 block of West Cherry Avenue. Upon arrival, Chief McCormick was advised by the complainant they had received a $10,000 personal check from a “long-lost” relative in Wichita, Kan. The complainant further advised they called the bank listed on the check and was informed that a series of checks had been stolen and the suspect was trying to get the complainant to cash the check and send back some of the money. The complainant stated the bank asked them to contact the local police and obtain a case number to provide to the bank. Chief McCormick provided the complainant with a case number.

March 12, 12:42 p.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible warrant service in the 400 block of West Main Avenue. Dispatch advised of a subject in the law office for deposition with a Ritzville District Court warrant and complainant will advise when they are done. Chief McCormick stood by until the subject was reportedly leaving the building but was unable to locate the subject.

March 12, 10:03 a.m. –

Chief McCormick responded to a possible animal problem on Second Avenue and Columbia Street. Upon arrival Chief McCormick observed an older brownish/black lab hanging around the residence. Chief McCormick made phone contact with the property owner who advised the dog belongs to their renter and should be in the yard but somehow escapes, then tries to get in the front door and paces until it gets let back inside. Chief McCormick gave a warning about the dog being at large and the owner understood. They advised they would locate the escape route and take care of the issue.

March 12, 1:41 a.m. –

While on patrol, Officer Hunter Klewin observed a vehicle driving in the oncoming lane of South Adams Street. After stopping the vehicle it was determined the driver had been drinking. Anita Neilan was arrested and administratively booked for Driving under the Influence.

March 11, 5:04 p.m. – Officer Gracie responded to a possible animal problem in the 100 block of East Second Avenue. Officer Gracie contacted the complainant who stated they have a pit-bull type dog that was found in the area. The dog had a pink collar but no tags. The complainant further stated they would keep the dog until the owner could be found. Officer Gracie advised dispatch of the situation and cleared.

March 9, 12:47 p.m. –

Sergeant Mark Cameron responded to a possible theft in the 100 block of West First Avenue at the Empire Motel. Upon arrival, Sgt. Cameron contacted the complainant who advised a $150 dome type video camera was stolen from the laundry room. The complainant further advised they believe the camera was seen at 10:30 p.m. and noticed missing at 6 a.m. Sgt. Cameron contacted another subject who uses the laundry room regularly and the subject stated the camera has been gone for at least a week.

March 9, 11:28 a.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to a citizen dispute in the 100 block of East Seventh Avenue. Upon arrival, Sgt. Cameron contacted several residents of the complex and another citizen that wasn’t a resident. Once all parties calmed down, the issues were worked out with no enforcement action being taken.

March 9, 9:40 a.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to a parking complaint in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Sgt. Cameron contacted the complainant who advised their neighbors’ vehicle is parked on the curb and makes it difficult for the complainant’s friends to park in front of the house when they visit. Sgt. Cameron observed the passenger tires on the low curb alongside of the road but the tires weren’t on a yard or garden. Sgt. Cameron advised the complainant of the parking laws along city streets and stated there is no ordinance on parking in front of an individual’s house.

March 8, 2:45 p.m. – Dispatch issued extra patrol alert at the Ritzville Golf Course in the 100 block of East Tenth Avenue until a new manager is in place.

March 8, 1:22 p.m. – Complainant requested phone contact regarding a civil issue. Chief McCormick contacted the complainant by phone. The complainant requested Chief McCormick check on their father’s rental house in the 400 block of South Jackson Street. The renters have not paid for three months and it is unknown is they are still there. Chief McCormick went to the residence and observed three vehicles in the yard and a lot of trash. The house appears to be vacant. Chief McCormick contacted a relative of the former renters who advised the keys were returned to the landlord two months ago. The relative further advised they would be removing the abandoned vehicles in the next few days. Chief McCormick advised the complainant of his findings.

March 8, 12:38 p.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible animal problem in the 200 block of East Seventh Avenue. Upon contact, the complainant advised two brindle color pit-bulls came at them while doing yard work. The same two dogs were out running the day before. The complainant stated the dogs did not bite them but came close. Chief McCormick contacted the dog owners and advised them of the complaint. The dog owners stated a child lifted the latch on the gate and let the dogs out. Chief McCormick gave the dog owners a warning about the dogs being out and informed them to obtain licenses by the end of the month. Any further violations would generate a citation and any attempts by the dogs to have lunch on the neighbor will result in the dogs being removed from the city, which they understood.

March 8, 1:10 a.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to a found property call in the 100 block of West Galbreath Way at Circle K. Upon contact, the clerk turned over a Washington state instruction permit in addition to a black, leather-type tri-fold wallet with a Washington State ID card in it. Sgt. Cameron will mail the property to the rightful owners.

March 7, 8:01 p.m. – Officer Gracie responded to a residential alarm in the 300 block of West Third Avenue. Officer Gracie contacted the homeowner who stated there was no emergency and the alarm had been set off inadvertently.

March 7, 6:27 p.m. – Chief McCormick and Officer Gracie responded to a request for standby while a subject moved personal belongings out of a former residence in the 200 block of East Tenth Avenue. The officers stood by while the moving took place and discussed ground rules with all subjects and cleared.

March 7, 3:12 p.m. –

While on patrol, Chief McCormick observed a juvenile subject prowling in the 400 block of East First Avenue at the old Meat Block building. Chief McCormick contacted the subject and warned them about trespassing. The subject stated they were just looking for a ball that was thrown in the vicinity. Chief McCormick advised the subject to stay away from vacant businesses.

March 7, 2:47 p.m. – Officer Gracie responded to a possible fraud in the 200 block of East Seventh Avenue. Officer Gracie contacted the complainant who stated they have been receiving emails from a company claiming she owed them $986.67. The email threatened legal action if they did not pay the amount and the complainant believed it to be fraudulent. The complainant further stated they attempted to contact the company for more information but their questions were not answered. Officer Gracie advised the complainant to not provide any personal information to the company and block the email address.

March 7, 11:40 a.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a possible malicious mischief call in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Upon contact, the complainant advised of an ongoing issue with water usage on the property. Chief McCormick advised the complainant to obtain a report from the city water crew if they are concerned about usage and verify the amount being used.

March 6, 5:28 p.m. – Dispatch advised of a citizen requesting phone contact regarding a custody issue. Officer Gracie contacted the complainant who advised there is no parenting plan in effect. Officer Gracie advised the complainant without a parenting plan, both parents had equal right to access the child. Officer Gracie further advised the complainant to procure a parenting plan to avoid any conflicts.

March 5, 11:40 a.m. –

Dispatch advised of a complainant requesting contact. Chief McCormick contacted the complainant by phone. The complainant advised of trouble with a renter at the 400 block of West First Avenue at the Westside Motel. The renter was told to leave two weeks ago and refuses to go. Chief McCormick advised the complainant to research the landlord tenant laws and to seek advice and services from an attorney to go through the eviction process, including a writ of garnishment to retrieve property. The complainant advised they would be proceeding with the eviction.

March 3, 9:42 p.m. – Dispatch advised of a rolling domestic, in a red Dodge Neon, now parked by the Westside Motel in the 400 block of West First Avenue. Officer Klewin contacted both parties, with Trooper Dustin Stephan assisting. It was determined the incident was only verbal and no assault occurred.

March 3, 12:57 a.m. – Officer Klewin responded to a suspicious circumstance in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Upon arrival, Officer Klewin contacted the complainant who advised they heard what sounded like two male subjects in the basement and the complainant shut and locked the door. Officer Klewin checked the basement and did not find anyone.

March 2, 8:32 p.m. –

While on patrol, Officer Klewin stopped a vehicle on West Ninth Avenue and South Jefferson Street for improper lane travel.

March 2, 5:35 p.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to a welfare check request in the 200 block of East Birch Avenue. The complainant advised they have been attempting to contact the subject by phone and are concerned. Chief McCormick advised he observed the subject walking downtown. Dispatch attempted to contact the subject by phone and a voicemail was left.

March 2, 4:16 p.m. – Chief McCormick responded to a suspicious circumstance in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Upon contact, the complainant advised that sometime about 10:30 p.m. some juveniles were in the backyard of a neighboring house and set off the motion light and threw a raw chicken in the complainants’ yard where their dog is kept. The complainant further advised they took pictures and packaged the remains to have it analyzed for poison. Chief McCormick advised the complainant to call any time suspicious activity is taking place.

March 2, 3:39 a.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to an open ended 911 call in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Dispatch advised no one was speaking but dogs could be heard barking. Upon arrival, Sgt. Cameron approached the front of the house and heard a door close. A dog was observed at the house across Division Street. Sgt. Cameron contacted the complainant who advised they heard someone laughing outside the house but no one was in the house at the time.

March 2, 1:25 a.m. – Sgt. Cameron responded to a suspicious circumstance in the 100 block of East Sixth Avenue. Sgt. Cameron went from the back to the front of the house. Upon contact the complainant advised of a male subject in the basement. Sgt. Cameron checked the basement and the rest of the house and no one was found. The complainant advised they are upset because they just spent $175 to have the back door re-keyed and two days later the suspects have found a way back in the house.

March 1, 8:27 p.m. – Sgt. Cameron and Officer Gracie responded to a citizen assist call in the 100 block of East Seventh Avenue. Dispatch advised of a male subject suffering possible heart attack. Upon contact, the subject described stroke like symptoms and advised they were feeling better since calling 911. The ambulance arrived and Sgt. Cameron and Officer Gracie assisted as needed and cleared when the subject was loaded in the ambulance.