One of Washington State Patrol’s “Most Wanted” in King County was captured Thursday, Aug. 26th in Des Moines.

According to police, Kenneth W. Williams Jr., 28, was arrested after detectives received a tip that he was residing in Des Moines. Williams is a suspect in a vehicular assault that occurred on August 13, 2009 when he left his seriously injured passenger on the side of the road after falling off of the rear of Williams’ motorcycle. Williams had been driving erratically and popping wheelies just before his passenger was ejected.

Williams was booked into the King County Jail on a $30,000 warrant.

While sitting at our booth at the Des Moines Farmers Market, we received the following text at 10:40am from our own Theresa Frasch:

“Robbery just happened at B of A des moines”

Since this branch is less than a block from us, we left our booth, rushed up and took a few pics and did some investigation.

Two D.M.P.D. cruisers were on site, as were Tukwila Police and a K-9 unit from the Auburn Police.

Here’s what Reporter Ralph Nichols gleaned from D.M.P.D. Master Sgt. Bob Collins:

• The robbery happened around 10:15am on Saturday morning, Aug. 14
• Robbery suspect is a white male, in his 30s, around 6’2″ with a thin build, dark mustache and goatee
• Suspect is wearing blue jeans, a tan baseball cap, and white t-shirt with a large circular emblem on it
• Suspect handed a note to a Teller demanding cash
• There is no indication that he was armed
• Suspect left on foot westbound, into the marina area
• Auburn K-9 unit “lost scent” of the suspect in the marina area; this means the suspect is still at large
• D.M.P.D. is now working with the F.B.I. on the investigation

Here are some pics shot on scene by Scott Schaefer:

On Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 10th), a man carjacked a vehicle from a student in the east parking of Highline Community College using a sword and toy gun.

According to police, the man, who had just committed an armed robbery nearby, demanded that the student drive him away from the campus. When the student refused, the man opened the car door and lunged at the student with a short sword. The student exited his vehicle unharmed and the man drove the car away.

The Des Moines and Kent police departments responded and reports are that an arrest was made at an off-campus location.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Highline College Campus Safety Office in Building 6 or call 206-878-3710 ext. 3218. You may also contact the Des Moines Police Department at (206) 878-3301.

In the meantime, here are some Safety Tips provided by Highline College:

1. Call the Campus Safety Office or call 911 if you see people behaving suspiciously such as loitering in the parking lots or near isolated locations such as secluded walkways, doorways, or other areas where visibility is limited. The Campus Safety Office is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
2. Generally, it is advisable to surrender property to an assailant rather than resist. You should then call 911 to report the incident.
3. We recommend that you consult the personal safety tips that can be found at the Campus Safety website: http://www.highline.edu/admin/safety/personalsafety.htm

Tuesday, Aug. 3rd will be “National Night Out” in Des Moines, an event dedicated to encouraging neighbors, police and others to improve the quality of life in our community.

“National Night Out” is an opportunity for all parts of the Des Moines Community to come together and focus on build strong and healthy communities.

Key messages of “National Night Out” include:

• Cohesive, healthy neighborhoods are key to preventing crime and violence.
• Active block watch groups build community, increase hope and create harmony.
• Positive activities displace negative activity.
• Combating crime is a partnership of citizens and police.

If your neighborhood would be interested in participating in this year’s event, please contact CSO Tonya Seaberry at (206)870-7619 or tseaberry@desmoineswa.gov.

The King County Sheriff’s Department reports that they found Carl Wallace, age 58 and suffering from dementia, Friday night (July 16) in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Wallace was found safe, with his vehicle and dog “Frankie.”

He was first reported missing from the Burien area on Friday July 16th:

PREVIOUSLY:

On Friday (July 16) the King County Sheriff’s Department sent out word that they’re seeking the public’s help in finding 58-year old Carl Wallace, last seen in Burien.

According to police, he was last seen Thursday (July 15th) in the Burien area, and might be intending to drive to California.

Wallace suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, and is in the area from Idaho for medical treatment.

The missing man has little gas, no credit or debit cards, little money, and did not know how to get to the freeway from Burien.

He is likely driving a black, 1990 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck, Idaho license 1AEB756.

His dog “Frankie” is with him, a brown and white border collie, weighing about 40 lbs.

Wallace is 5’ 7” tall, 180 lbs., and gray hair, blue eyes, and a full beard.

He has a tattoo on his left forearm of purple roses with “Carl + Betty.” He is wearing a gray shirt, tan shorts, tan boat shoes, and might have a purple sweater.

If anyone sees Carl Wallace they should call 9-1-1 or the Sheriff’s Office at (206) 296-3311 (24 hours).

Normandy Park’s Police Department is reporting about a recent credit card scam, where fake cards are being sent out to residents in the mail, marked from “USAA Federal Savings Bank” and promising a $25 credit through PayPal.

Here’s the notice sent out by the police Thursday, July 15:

Normandy Park Police Department recently received information on a new credit card scam. Names and addresses are being used to issue fake credit cards believed to be designed to defraud Pay Pal, a company specializing in internet money flow. Cards are issued with the correct name and address of the card holder though social security numbers do not match the name on the card being issued.

Several Normandy Park residents have reported receiving in the mail Visa or Mastercard Credit Cards from USAA Federal Savings Bank. The card comes with a very real looking account statement showing an internet deposit of $25 to the card. Sounds like a good deal, but the $25 is debited from the card prior to the card actually reaching your mail box.

The residents involved have not lost any money but their names will appear on a paper trail when Pay Pal finds their loss.

Protect yourself. If you receive one or more of these cards please call Detective Dan Will at Normandy Park Police Department 206-248-7600. Cancel the card immediately by calling USAA at 800-531-2265.

USAA Federal Savings Bank, a legitimate Financial Institution, is aware of the fake cards. They are currently working with the FBI to resolve the problem.

This is not just a Normandy Park problem. Salem Police have also contacted USAA with the same issue.

Twenty-three area police departments in King County (including Des Moines) will “inundate” area roads, highways, and interstates with extra police patrols targeting speeding drivers beginning this Friday (July 16) and continuing through Aug. 1 as part of the statewide “Slow down or pay up” campaign.

The campaign’s goal is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes in Washington by the year 2030.

“Speeding may seem like a quick and effective shortcut, but in fact it is a leading cause of traffic deaths and injuries in King County and Washington State,” said Dr. David Fleming, Director and Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Speed-related crashes harm individuals, families, and communities, and many people hurt in these crashes suffer life altering trauma and never recover fully.”

The emphasis patrols over the next month are a key component of the Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Target Zero. The vision of Target Zero is zero deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes in Washington by the year 2030. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission funds the extra patrols.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, from 2006 – 2008, speeding drivers killed 140 people in King County crashes, an average of four deaths a month. These speeding-involved crashes accounted for 44% of traffic deaths in King County for that period.

The following police agencies in King County will conduct “Slow down or pay up” patrols:

1. Auburn
2. Bellevue
3. Black Diamond
4. Burien
5. Des Moines
6. Federal Way
7. Issaquah
8. Kent
9. Kirkland
10. Maple Valley
11. Mercer Island
12. Newcastle
13. Normandy Park
14. North Bend
15. Pacific
16. Redmond
17. Renton
18. Sammamish
19. SeaTac
20. Seattle
21. Snoqualmie
22. Tukwila
23. Washington State Patrol District 2

“Enforcing traffic laws saves lives,” said Lieutenant Nick Almquist, Redmond Police Department, Traffic Unit. “From north to south and east to west, police departments are working together to enforce speed limits and make King County roads safer.”

“Driving is a complex skill, demanding your complete attention,” said Cesi Velez, South King County Target Zero Manager, Kent Police Department. “Slow down and watch for sudden stops when traffic is heavy or the road has limited sight distance. Avoid tailgating by leaving a car’s length between you and the car in front of you for every 10mph you’re traveling. Road conditions and weather may also require a driver to slow down.”

Public Health- Seattle & King County chairs and staffs the King County Target Zero Task Force (previously known as the King County Traffic Safety Coalition). Members include representatives from a variety of King County law enforcement agencies, the Washington State Liquor Control Board, alcohol and drug prevention organizations, traffic engineers, non-profit organizations, and others. The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission provides funding for the coalition and other King County traffic safety activities.

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s news include word that Des Moines’ finest were out “citing” children for wearing helmets while riding their bikes, and two juveniles arrested while fleeing from a residential burglary.

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (June 4, 2010)

Des Moines Officers “Citing” Kids for Wearing Helmets While Riding Their Bikes:

Beginning this month Officers of the Des Moines Police Department are teaming up with SAFE KIDS to recognize kids who are playing it safe. Officers are issuing a “Safe Rider Citation” to commend kids for practicing “Safe Rider Habits” by wearing helmets. The “citation” entitles the recipient to one McDonald’s Vanilla Reduced Fat Cone.”

2 Juveniles Arrested While Fleeing From Residential Burglary Attempt:

Alert citizens called “911” on June 15th at 1130 a.m. after witnessing two subjects attempting to break out a neighbor’s sliding glass door. The suspects had fled on foot upon the initial responding officer’s arrival. Additional arriving officers located and detained the two suspects about two blocks away. The witnesses were brought to the scene and positively identified both suspects. The suspects are 16 years of age and live in Des Moines. They were transported to the Des Moines Police station, photographed and fingerprinted. King County Juvenile Detention declined to accept the juveniles. The juveniles were released to their parents. Charging documents for “Attempted Residential Burglary” have been forwarded to the King County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office. The incident occurred near the 1600 block of S. 244th Place.

UPDATE SAT. 6/19/10: Jan Magnuson, Master Animal Control Officer for the Des Moines Police Department, writes with some good news:

“Just wanted to update you on the Pom; we were able to place him in a wonderful new home yesterday thanks to the Waterland Blog (see pic)!

Thank You SO much again for your assistance, talk to you soon, Jan”

Here’s a pic of the Pom and his new owner:

PREVIOUSLY:

The Des Moine Police Department is looking for a new home for a cute little male Pomeranian, which has “a wonderful, friendly, playful personality and is house-trained, walks on a leash, and knows how to ‘Sit.’.”

Here’s info and pics on the cute guy direct from DMPD:

This cute little Pomeranian is a healthy neutered male and around 4 years of age; he has a wonderful, friendly, playful personality and is house-trained, walks on a leash, and knows how to “Sit”.

He was found as a stray but never claimed by his owners; he had fleas but has since been de-flead, bathed and brushed, and now needs to find his new “forever” home!

Please contact Officer Jan Magnuson at the Des Moines Police Department at 206-870-6549 or 206-878-3301 for more information or to request to adopt this sweet doggie!

Please contact Officer Jan Magnuson at the Des Moines Police Department at 206-870-6549 or 206-878-3301 for more information or to request to adopt this sweet doggie!

by Ralph Nichols

(NOTE: When I sat down with Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker for an interview shortly before his retirement, my intent was to present an overview of his accomplishments in law enforcement, from Anaheim to Des Moines. But as he talked, it became obvious that his career is a living example of Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken.” Baker’s well-documented record of success in Des Moines will establish the foundation for the city’s evaluation of its police needs and search for a new chief. This account, then, tells in brief the fascinating story of how he got to Des Moines in the first place.)

“Life is like a box of chocolates,” Forrest Gump observed in the popular movie by that name. “You never know what you’re gonna get.”

That line came to mind over the weekend as Roger Baker prepared not so much to retire as to take the next steps in a journey that will lead him down a new – yet familiar – path.

The sign on his door and his business card, had he taken a road that once beckoned him, could have said this:

Roger Baker, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist

Instead of this:

Roger Baker
Chief of Police
City of Des Moines

Or, for that matter, he could have been a top manager at Disneyland, where he was moving up – until becoming a cop “for just a couple of years” before returning to graduate school full time.

Now, after 36 years as a police officer, Baker, who has served as chief of the Des Moines Police Department since January 2004, turned in his badge on June 15.

Although Baker tells colleagues and friends he is “retiring, again,” in reality he is simply “trading his badge for a briefcase.”

And he isn’t leaving law enforcement behind, only changing his relationship with the men and women in blue whose motto is “to protect and to serve” the rest of us.

Together with his wife, Shirley, Baker will follow a dream of many years as becomes principal consultant in their new business – assisting police departments with “strategic leadership and planning in the 21st century.”

Their consulting firm, which is ready to launch, is The Business of Policing.

The Bakers will continue to live in Des Moines, where they found their retirement home shortly before he was hired as chief here – only days after his first “retirement” as chief of the Anaheim (Calif.) Police Department after five years as that destination city’s top cop.

But that comes later in this story.

Crime Rate Reversed
Most Des Moines residents are familiar with what Baker accomplished as chief, and how the police department under his guidance improved the quality of life in this waterfront community.

When he came to Des Moines, Baker’s immediate goal was “to stop double digit increases in the crime rate.” By any account, he succeeded, turning the crime rate in the city “into double digit decreases.”

During his tenure here, Baker led successful efforts to:

• Develop and implement a Police Department Strategic Plan.
• Restore the police department.
• Implement the property tax levy lid lift to restore police staffing to its 1999 level.
• Open a substation to increase police presence in the Redondo area.
• Adopt a city crime-free rental housing program.
• Enact a city anti-graffiti ordinance.
• And restore peace to the community.

“We met maybe 90 percent of the goals of our strategic plan, which we adopted after I got here,” he noted.

“I have had the good fortune to work with the outstanding staff of the Des Moines Police Department for over six years,” Baker told department personnel in announcing his retirement.

“It has been my pleasure to lead you in the daunting task of restoring police services in our city. I could not have had a better team to work with to successfully accomplish that task.”

“You’ve left us a better place than you found us,” City Manager Tony Piasecki told Baker at the June 10 Des Moines City Council meeting.

Piasecki also announced that Commander John O’Leary will become interim police chief when Baker steps down on Tuesday.

“We hope to have the [police chief] position filled by second quarter next year,” following a national search, he added.

What most people don’t know, however, is the rest of the Roger Baker story – and why his résumé would be written much differently had his professional life unfolded as he envisioned it.

All the years he spent in law enforcement, Baker remarked in an interview with the Waterland Blog last week, “I could have been a clinical psychologist sitting in an office somewhere.”

Disneyland
Even clinical psychology as a career goal wasn’t on his radar when he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 1965, while attending Rancho Santiago College in Orange County, Calif.

Baker’s parents owned a plumbing contracting business, where he worked while taking general studies with a business emphasis before his enlistment.

“I spent six happy years in the Air Force Reserve as administrative assistant to the group commander at wing headquarters,” at March Air Force Base in Riverside, Calif., while earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chapman University.

In 1966, Baker went to work at Disneyland – the first fork in his road – where he “was fortunate enough to get hired into their security department.” While there he began the master’s degree program in counseling psychology at Chapman University.

As time went by, Disney moved Baker from security to wherever they needed him. He eventually managed four restaurants along with retail sales stores and other attractions at Disneyland, with 550 employees under him and a $20 million budget in 1974.

“This was the best business education on the planet, and they paid me,” he recalled. “One of the 10 best managed companies in the world paid me to learn business leadership and management skills.”

But Baker was rapidly approaching his 30th birthday. He wanted to finish his master’s degree and pursue a doctoral degree in clinical psychology.

He left Disney to join the Anaheim Police Department “for two years to get the experience of working with police officers and the public in a new environment.

As things turned out, this was “the beginning of the end in my career, of getting a doctorate and becoming a clinical psychologist.”

Anaheim Police Department
Baker attended the police academy, where he became president of his class.. He was sworn in, put on his badge, and assigned to patrol as an Anaheim police officer.

“This was the best time in my life,” he recalled. “I had no employees to worry about and no budget to worry about. All I had to be immediately concerned about was my police car and me. This was heaven!

“Plus I had the opportunity to work with an incredibly skilled and dedicated group of public servants working in a sometimes very dangerous environment,” Baker continued.

“I really enjoyed helping the public. “Police work is 90 percent helping people in crisis. Only 10 percent is actual criminal work.”

As time went by, the day when he would embark on a doctoral program in clinical psychology was growing closer. Or so he thought.

About 18 months after joining the Anaheim Police Department, “I got a call to report to the patrol division commander. I was off probation by then, but that’s still not necessarily a good thing when you’re a “newbie” and called to see the boss.”

His summons was not because of something he had, or had not, done. It was about a special project the department needed him to tackle – one that would become the next diversion away from his plan.

The police department had been given a directive by Anaheim’s new city manager to develop a performance-based, zero-based budget for the agency. Aware of his management experience with Disney, department brass asked if he could develop that budget.

This, in retrospect, was the next chapter in the “beginning of the end” for Baker.

Transferred to a desk in the patrol division commander’s office – the only space they could find – it took him about 90 days for study and analysis, and to weave the results into the department and get the budget done.

When Baker completed the police budget, he was named training officer for the then-400-person department, which “solidified the end of my career in clinical psychology” – although he would make a final move toward that goal.

After four years as training officer, he had been in uniform for six years. “I had to get out and get my doctorate,” he said. And he came close. He was offered acceptance into both the UCLA and USC clinical psychology doctoral programs.

As a practical matter, however, “I still needed to work to eat.” So Baker asked both schools if he could go part-time and continue in law enforcement.

Neither of them approved, however, believing that police work was incompatible with clinical psychology. Instead, both offered him financial assistance and undergraduate teaching assignments to help pay his way.

Nor did the Anaheim Police Department want him to pursue his doctorate in this field, assuming it would make him too liberal to be a good cop.

Onward and Upward
Instead, the police department promoted Baker to sergeant, and he returned to patrol for a year. “I came out number one on every assessment I ever took,” he said. “Every time I tried to leave, they promoted me.”

In addition, he was teaching at three Southern California police academies, writing curriculum, and teaching courses in behavioral management techniques for the California State Department of Justice.

“I’m teaching, I’m getting to be a cop, I’m having more fun than a human should have,” Baker said. “It never stopped.” Life was becoming “a Walter Mitty thing” for him.

Then, in the early 1980s, the Anaheim Police Department was involved in a major deadly shooting incident.

This incident showed deficiencies with the agency’s tactical response and SWAT team operations. By then, Baker had “a strong relationship with the command staff,” and “the chief says ‘fix it. Find a better way.’”

He looked at what other California police departments were doing, and then put his two psychology degrees to use. Baker rebuilt Anaheim’s SWAT team and developed a new crisis management and hostage negotiation team. .

Then he was offered the opportunity to teach basic and advanced hostage negotiation and crisis management techniques to law enforcement officers from throughout the western U.S.

“I found myself teaching and mentoring in areas of study that I never dreamed possible as a law enforcement officer. “I was doing stuff that I would never have been able to do in the education field and probably not even as a clinical psychologist.”

Baker was then promoted to lieutenant and assigned to prepare the department’s security and tactical response plans for the upcoming 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Anaheim would host the wrestling competition and this was just 12 years after the terrorist attack during the Olympics in Munich, Germany. There were no incidents.

“For the next 20 years, it was the same rocket ride,” Baker continued. As a captain, he later commanded each of the four divisions of the police department – patrol, special operations, investigations and administration – for at least two years.

And he graduated from the FBI National Academy, and from the U.S. Department of Justice Southwest Command College.

But there was also tragedy, with the deaths of two Anaheim chiefs of police, both good friends of his – Joe Molloy and then Randy Gaston. Their deaths still touch him deeply. Both men died suddenly from heart attacks at the office – each at age 54 after five years as chief.

“It was really horrific,” Baker said.

Anaheim Police Chief
Immediately after Gaston’s death, the Anaheim city manager appointed Baker interim police chief while the agency undertook yet another search.

That happened even as he was trying, once again, to leave the police department – this time to retire and take his family to Mendocino, Calif., and teach at a local community college and at Humboldt State University.

Baker was not sure that he wanted to stay on as chief, but he was strongly encouraged to remain there by his fellow staff members.

More importantly, Shirley finally told him if he wanted to stay, then stay, “but only for five years.” He lived through his 54th birthday, broke the jinx, and stayed on.

“I had a five-year opportunity to completely modernize the organization,” he said. “The Anaheim Police Department was very good, but it could be better.”

Baker introduced into the department a graduate degree program in organizational leadership, which Chapman University set up for Anaheim, and brought in millions of dollars in grants for new equipment and “massive new technology.”

During those five years, “we dropped the crime rate by 40 percent. We took Anaheim to a whole new level and made it the safest of the 10 biggest resort cities – with 40 million tourists a year – in the U.S. We set huge goals for ourselves and met them, like we did here [Des Moines].”

Anaheim became the second safest of the big 10 cities in California – behind only San Jose, which had 30 percent more police officers yet only a slightly better part one crime rate.

As the time for his first retirement as a police chief drew near, “they wanted me to stay,” Baker added. “I kept my promise to Shirley and we were gone in six weeks.”

Line of Fire
Baker is adamant that a police officer is a “peace officer,” not a combat soldier. His or her job, if at all possible, is to restore order without the loss of life and without injury.

He has been shot at four times during his career in law enforcement that almost never happened, but never has fired a shot beyond the firing range, where his skill as a marksman still impresses younger officers.

“I’ve pulled the hammer back three times, but every time I was fortunate enough to avoid firing,” Baker said. “But one time I should have shot I did not have enough probable cause to shoot, and the suspect got away.”

The suspect was a serial rapist. Baker had developed an analysis of the crimes before this was a common practice and predicted where the suspect would hit next.

Baker placed the location under surveillance, and then spotted the suspect at 3:00 a.m. as he appeared to be getting away from a crime scene. Baker gave chase on foot and thought he had the suspect where no innocent persons could be hit if he fired a shot to stop the suspect.

“Your police training tells you that you’d better be sure when you fire a shot, but I was not sure that I could hit him.” And Baker had no confirmation at the time that a crime had been committed.

The suspect was arrested six months later in Los Angeles, and one of the many crimes of rape that he was charged with was the rape that, it turned out, he had committed in that location that night.

Moving North
After they were married, Roger and Shirley had honeymooned in the Northwest. Then, after he was appointed Anaheim police chief, Shirley had booked them on an up-and-back round trip from Anaheim to Seattle on Amtrak’s Coastal Starlight Express.

During that trip, Baker wrote the business plan he needed to redesign the organizational structure and redefine the mission of the Anaheim Police Department.

Now they decided to return to this region and find their retirement home.

“When I announced my retirement, I talked to Craig Steckler” – a friend who is still the Fremont, Calif., police chief. Upon learning their retirement plans, Steckler told Baker that Des Moines, Wash., was searching for a new police chief.

He applied, and was invited to come for an interview.

This time the Bakers flew to Seattle just long enough for the interview process. Baker went for ride-alongs with Des Moines patrol officers – the only candidate for chief to do this – and Shirley went house hunting.

She found the home, and they tried to talk the sellers out of tearing the house down to make way for condos. With a scheduled early-afternoon return flight to Anaheim on a Sunday in late December, the Bakers met them one more time on their way to the airport.

“They agreed. I handed them the earnest-money check Shirley had put in my pocket. And we had just enough time to get on our plane.”

Within a week, Piasecki called Baker. He had learned from barbershop chatter that a police chief from southern California had just bought a house in Des Moines.

“You need to let me know when you do something like that,” Baker said Piasecki told him.

“But that assumes that we have a professional relationship,” Baker demurred.

“We do now,” Piasecki replied. The city council had endorsed the city manager’s recommendation and Baker was the new Des Moines police chief.

“So all the dreams but one – clinical psychologist – came true,” Baker said. “We come up here, and that starts another whole new chapter.”

The Des Moines Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a theft suspect, who was observed between May 17 and 24th and confronted by staff at a nursing care facility in Des Moines.

According to police, the suspect was loitering inside the building on two separate incidents. During one of the incidents he seen wearing nursing scrubs and told a staff member he was looking for a job. The police were not called during either event.

On May 24th, one of the staff nurses discovered her purse was taken and learned shortly afterward that a charge in excess of $800.00 in debit card transactions had taken place against her account. One of those transactions took place at the Redondo Safeway and was captured by surveillance video (see photos below).

Anyone with information as to the identity of the suspect (pictured below) is asked to contact Detective Ross Stuth at rstuth@desmoineswa.gov or 206-870-7615.

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s news include the arrest of a 56-year old Walgreens robber, photos of the Special Olympics torch being carried through Des Moines, and information on the city’s animal care and control.

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (June 4, 2010)

Des Moines PD Arrests Walgreens Robber: On 06/02/10 at approximately 1815 hours a 56 year old man entered the Des Moines Walgreens and demanded prescription medications. The man displayed a handgun during the robbery. Responding Des Moines Officers found the suspect attempting to hide among several large trees west of the store. The weapon was determined to be a pellet gun with an orange tip that had been blackened. The suspect later admitted to detectives he was responsible for robbing the same Walgreen’s in April. The man shows a last known address out of Des Moines. He was booked into the King County Detention Center for Robbery 1 and investigators are forwarding filing documents to the King County Prosecutor’s Office for both robberies.

Special Olympics Torch Carried Through Des Moines: Members of the Des Moines Municipal Court and the Des Moines Police Department participated in this years “Special Olympics” torch run. The torch was delivered to Des Moines PD by members of the Port of Seattle Police Department. The torch was carried through the city along Pacific Highway South and handed off to members of the Kent Police Department. The run helps to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics Washington.

Here are some photos of the event:

Look What’s New in Animal Care and Control for Des Moines Residents:
Beginning July 1st, the city of Des Moines will no longer be contracting with King County Animal Control for any animal sheltering.

Des Moines Police Department has its own Animal Control Officer and has for many years, so those services will remain the same- we will continue to provide service for vicious/dangerous dog problems, dog bite reports, animal cruelty investigations, dog and cat licensing, nuisance animal complaints, lost and found pet reports, enforcement of animal control laws, rescue of sick/injured domestic animals, animal care and control education, and referral to other animal service agencies.

Since the first part of 2010, the city of Des Moines has entered into contracts with local vendors, which include a boarding kennel and four veterinary hospitals, for animal care and shelter services; pets impounded from Des Moines are now being cared for at one of those vendors’ facilities instead of the King County Animal Control shelter.

What to do if you have lost a pet, found a pet, need to place your pet in a new home, or have an animal emergency:

Citizens who find a pet in the city limits of Des Moines should contact the Animal Control Division of the Police Department (206) 870-6549 or (206) 878-3301 regarding care and possible impoundment of the animal.

Citizens who have lost a pet should check all area shelters and police departments, as pets can roam and cross into other jurisdictions.

Citizens thinking of placing their own pet in a new home may call the Animal Control Officer for resources and assistance to help keep their pet; however, if there is no other option, they should contact area rescue groups, area shelters, and Petfinder.com for possible placement assistance.

And as always, if a public safety emergency is occurring such as an in-progress vicious dog attack , citizens should call 911.

Adoptions of friendly, healthy pets will also be offered on occasion through the Animal Control Division of the Police Department; thankfully most nice impounded pets are claimed by their owners, but on occasion there may be a pet available for adoption at one of the local vendors.  Des Moines pet adoptions will also be occasionally offered through area rescue groups, local media, Petsmart stores, and Petfinder.com.

For additional questions regarding the changes in animal sheltering, please contact Master Animal Control Officer Jan Magnuson at JMagnuson@desmoineswa.gov or (206) 870-6549.

Sadly, a high-speed, single-car crash took the life of a young adult man in Des Moines Thursday night (June 3) at 10:20pm, when a black 1992 Honda Accord crashed through a guardrail on Marine View Drive near S. 216th, hit a tree and then came to rest about 40-50 feet in a wooded ravine.

According to Des Moines Police, the deceased driver was the only occupant in the vehicle.

Police reports say that a witness called “911” and reported seeing the car westbound on S. 216th at a high rate of speed around 10:20pm, then crashed through a guardrail.

The first arriving officer was on scene approximately one minute after receiving the 911 dispatch call. He was able to make his way down to the vehicle, where he discovered the deceased driver. As a precaution, several members of South King Fire and Rescue assisted in a thorough search of the area for possible passengers. The search included the use of a thermal imaging device. The Washington State Patrol is assisting in the investigation.

Police say that the driver appears to be a young adult male. His identity has not yet been released.

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s crimes include “Robbery 1″ arrests, stolen bike recovered, and free anti-theft “Club” devices being given out to eligible Honda owners:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (May 21, 2010)

4 Suspects Charged with Robbery 1 and Bike Recovered: Arrests Made and Bike Recovered – The investigation of the robbery of the and assault of an 18 year old resident has led to “Robbery 1” charges being filed against each of the 4 suspects involved.  Detectives also recovered the victim’s bike that had been taken during the robbery.  Two of the suspects are 18 years old, one suspect is 16 and one is 15.   3 of the suspects are in custody and an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect who is still at large.   The juvenile suspects in this case may possibly be charged as adults.

The Des Moines Police Department is Giving Away Vehicle “Anti Theft” Device to Eligible Honda Owners: In 2007, the Washington State Legislator created the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) aiming to reduce vehicle thefts across the state.  The Des Moines Police Department, in partnership with the “Preventing Auto Theft Through Regional Operational Links” (PATROL) Task Force, has continued to see South King County and North Pierce County being plagued with the theft of older Honda Accords and Civics.

The Des Moines Police Department, as part of a WATPA state grant program, will offer “The Club” steering wheel locking devices for FREE to 1991-1998 Honda Accord and Honda Civic owners.  Utilization of “The Club” is a crime deterrent.  Though its use does not guarantee or ensure your vehicle will not be stolen, it creates an additional level of theft prevention.

Quantities are limited!  To obtain “The Club” you must come to the Des Moines Police Station Monday-Friday between the hours of 9am – 1pm with your current Department of Licensing vehicle registration.

For more information please contact CSO Tonya Seaberry at (206) 870-7619.

UPDATE 5/20/10: Des Moines Police emailed us today with word that Ileah Darby has been located. According to the DM PD, she called her mother to report that she is fine.

Here’s the announcement:

On May 7th the Des Moines Police department sent out a press release requesting assistance in the locating of Ileah Darby (28 year old female).  Ms. Darby has called her mother to report she is fine.  Our case number is 10-0963.  Ms. Darby is no longer considered missing and endangered. We believe the media’s assistance in incident led Ms. Darby to call.

The Des Moines Police Department would like to thank each agency for whatever assistance you were able to provide regarding this case.

PREVIOUSLY: On Friday (May 7), the Des Moines Police Department announced that it is requesting the public’s help in locating a missing pregnant woman named Ms. Ileah Darby.

According to a bulletin:

Ms. Darby is a 28-year old African American with black hair and brown eyes.

She is 5’02 and weighs 140 pounds.

She is six months pregnant and has a seizure disorder. She is not on medications.

Ms. Darby is known to frequent Pacific Highway in the South King County area. She is also known to stay in homeless camps and may be in the company of her boyfriend, a Dashawn Burrell. Mr. Burrell walks with a noticeable limp.

Ms. Darby was last seen in her mother’s home in Des Moines on April 18th, 2010.

Here’s a photo provided by the DM PD:

Anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of Ms. Darby is asked to call 911 or the Des Moines Police Department at 206-878-3301.

The Des Moines Police Department has partnered with the Preventing Auto Theft Through Regional Operational Links (PATROL) Task Force to distribute free steering wheel lock devices (aka “The Club”) to the owners of Honda Accords and Civics manufactured between 1991 to 1998. These are some of the most commonly targeted vehicles by auto thieves.

Ten area police departments are participating in this program.

To get yours, contact Tonya Seaberry at 206-870-7619.

Here’s more info from a press release:

Due to the increase in thefts of Honda vehicles, several local police agencies are making The Club available to owners of 1991-1998 Honda Accords and Civics free of charge as part of the statewide authority to reduce vehicle crimes.

In 2007, the legislator created the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA) in the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC). The Authority consists of 10 Governor appointees serving staggered terms. Representatives of law enforcement, prosecution, the auto industry, the insurance industry, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and the private sector are included as members of the Authority. WATPA aims to reduce vehicle theft across the state and funds several regional task forces.

The Preventing Auto Theft Through Regional Operational Links (PATROL) Task Force is made up of all South King County police departments and Bonney Lake and Sumner Police Departments. Several cities which contract for police services with the King County Sheriffs Office also participate in PATROL.

Own a '91-'98 Honda? You could get a "Club" for free.

As part of the PATROL task force’s auto theft prevention strategies, local police departments have a quantity of the steering wheel locking devices (The Club) available for free. To obtain the free Clubs, Honda owners must prove Honda ownership by showing a current Department of Licensing registration at one of the participating police departments. This offer is available only while supplies last.

“Vehicle thefts continue to be a crime plaguing the South King and North Pierce County areas. Remember, vehicle crimes are most of the time preventable. We know that auto thieves target certain vehicles and we hope through this initiative, the public will become better aware of their ability to prevent auto theft from occurring. Using devices such as The Club is absolutely recommended and a huge deterrent to auto thieves,” said Kent Police Lieutenant John Pagel, who also commands the PATROL Task Force.The Clubs are available for pick up at several police departments.

Other participating police departments and contacts are:

• Covington PD: Chief Kevin Klason, 253-638-1110
• Federal Way PD: Kelly Crouch, 253-835-6710
• Kent PD: Sara Wood, 253-856-5851
• Maple Valley PD: Robin Larsen, 425-413-5158
• Newcastle PD: Aleta Phillips, 425-649-4444
• Renton PD: Cyndie Parks, 425-430-7521
• Sumner PD: Det. Troy Nikolao, 253-299-5655
• SeaTac PD: Officer Doug Reynolds, 206-973-4904
• Tukwila PD: Chris Partman, 206-431-2197

We just received word from Highline Public Schools that they are investigating allegations that Jayson Boehm, formerly employed as a substitute stadium manager, provided health care to student athletes without appropriate medical supervision, as well as possibly fondling some male athletes.

Upon learning of the allegations, the district fired Boehm and barred him from school property.

According to the district, the allegations against Boehm came to light through two sources:

1. A school nurse alerted her supervisor when she noticed that Boehm had written a medical excuse for a student.
2. At the same time, a King County Sheriff’s detective alerted the district of their investigation into allegations that Boehm inappropriately examined an athlete in a Police Athletic League boxing competition in White Center (note: according to The Seattle Weekly, four Seattle Seahawks attended this match). The athlete is an adult and not a student.

The district says that the King County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Health have been investigating Boehm’s conduct. The district is cooperating with these agencies and has launched its own investigation, taking the following actions:

• Identifying an outside investigator to continue the investigation.
• Contracted with WIAA to conduct a full audit of the management of high school and middle school athletic programs and pledged to fully comply with the recommendations of WIAA.
• Placed the district athletic director and a high school athletic director on administrative leave until the conclusion of the investigation.
• Informing parents of all students who received physicals from Boehm. Parents of students participating in spring sports were immediately informed by personal phone call.
• Arranged for all affected athletes to receive physicals from the Highline Youth Health Center at district expense.

“Student safety is our highest priority,” said Superintendent John Welch. “We are committed to making any changes necessary to ensure the protection and well-being of all students participating in our programs.”

As a substitute stadium manager, Boehm was to provide logistical support for activities at Highline’s Memorial Field in Burien. He had also been contracted to provide first aid at athletic events and to give first aid training to coaches and PE teachers, which he was qualified to do as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician.

Boehm had also served as a volunteer for Evergreen High School athletic teams in White Center.

The Des Moines Police Department is asking the public’s assistance with help in identifying two car prowl suspects.

The incident occurred in the early morning hours of April 26th in an apartment complex parking garage located in the 2400 block of S. Kent-Des Moines Rd.

The two suspects forced entry into two vehicles stealing various electronic components.

Suspect 1:

Suspect 2:

Suspect Vehicle: Dark colored Ford Crown Victoria (possibly mid to late nineties model)

Anyone with information regarding the identity of these subjects is asked to call Detective Paul Young at 206-878-3301.

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week’s crimes include the arrest of two burglary suspects immediately after they robbed a home, and how a stolen semi-automatic pistol was found on an unconscious man near the Redondo pier:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (May 7, 2010)

Two Arrested Immediately After Committing Residential Burglary: On May 7th at about 10:15 a.m. a 17-year old female resident was alone in the upstairs of the home when two burglary suspects entered. The suspects fled when they discovered the home was occupied. The homeowner called 911 and reported the burglary, stating the suspects left in a dark blue Honda. Federal Way PD assisted Des Moines PD in the arrest of the two suspects after locating the vehicle on Pacific Highway South. Both suspects are in their early twenties. One of the suspects has a history of weapon, drug, and burglary violations. Both suspects were booked into the Regional Justice Center on “residential burglary” violations.

Aid Assist Results in Arrest of Man in Possession of Stolen Firearm: On May 2nd at about 10:30 p.m. Des Moines Officers responded to Redondo after a citizen reported a man laying unconscious near the pier. The man was found in possession of a semi automatic pistol that had been reported stolen out of King County. The 20-year old man was determined to be a convicted felon with an outstanding drug warrant. The man was transferred to a local area hospital for treatment and then booked into jail for the warrant, “Possession of a Stolen Firearm,” and “Felon in Possession of a Firearm.”

On Wednesday (May 5th), the Des Moines Police Department sent us a Sex Offender Information Bulletin about Manuel Alaniz Jr., a Level 3 registered sex offender who will be living within the city limits.

Here’s the text of the full bulletin, followed by the actual graphic:

Date: 04/23/10

Prepared by: MSgt. Barry Sellers

Bulletin Number: 10-001

The Des Moines Police Department is releasing the following information pursuant to RCW 4.24.550 and the Washington State Supreme Court decision in State v. Ward, which authorizes law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a sex offenders release when; in the discretion of the agency, the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the sheriff’s office in the county which they reside. Further, their previous criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend.

The sex offender has served the sentence imposed on him/her by the courts and has advised King County Sheriff’s Office that he will be living within the city limits of Des Moines. He/she is not wanted by the police. This notification is not intended to create fear but simply to inform the public of the individuals release.

The Des Moines Police Department has no legal authority to direct where a sex offender may or may not live. Unless court ordered restrictions exist, this offender is constitutionally free to live wherever he/she chooses.

Sex offenders have always lived in our communities; but it wasn’t until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 that mandates sex offender registration, that law enforcement even knew where they were living. In many cases, law enforcement is now able to share that information with you. Citizen abuse of this information to threaten, intimidate or harass registered sex offenders will not be tolerated. Further, such abuse could potentially end law enforcement’s ability to do community notifications. We believe the only person who wins if community notification ends is the sex offender, since sex offenders derive their power through secrecy.

Manuel Alaniz Jr.
14XX Kent Des Moines Rd
Age: 26
Hispanic Male
5’2”, 175 lbs
Black hair & Blue eyes

Alaniz was found guilty in 2004 of Rape of a Child in the third degree. It was determined that at the age of 19, Alaniz had a 13 year old girlfriend with whom he was sexually active. Alaniz was sentenced to 31⁄2 years in prison for this offense, of which he served approximately 2 years before being released on community supervision.

In 1999, at the age of 14, Alaniz sexually assaulted a 4 year old female. He had known the female for one day prior to the assault. Alaniz served approximately 8 months in juvenile prison for this offense.

Alaniz also disclosed he sexually assaulted another 4 year old female while at a church in 1999. Alaniz was never charged or convicted on this offense as the victim is unknown.

Alaniz did receive some sex offender treatment and therapy while serving time in prison as a juvenile. He refused to attend any type of sex offender treatment while serving his sentence in 2004.

Alaniz has a criminal history for failing to register as a sex offender. Alaniz is not currently under DOC supervision. Alaniz is considered a high risk to re-offend.

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week, the DMPD is seeking the public’s help in locating a stolen bike, as well as reports of a fleeing driver, pipe bomb that closed a road and more vehicle prowling:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (April 30th, 2010):

Police Request Assistance in Locating Bike Taken in Robbery: An 18-year old man was assaulted and robbed on Saturday, April 24th, at about 9:15 PM. The man was riding his bike near S. 243rd and 16th Ave. South when a car pulled up behind him. The man remembers being knocked off his bike and being assaulted by several subjects. The man received serious facial injuries requiring medical attention. One of the items taken was a green and white “Redline” bike. Anyone with information regarding this robbery or the location of the bike is asked to call the Des Moines Police Department at 206-878-3301 and reference case number 10-0902. Here are photos of the stolen bike:

Driver Cited for Failure to Comply After Running from Officer During Traffic Stop: A 27-year old driver fled on foot after being stopped by a Des Moines Officer. The officer was working radar enforcement in Redondo and initiated a stop on a speeding car. The driver pulled the car into a private driveway, immediately exited the vehicle, and fled on foot. The officer was later able to identify the driver by conducting police record searches. Violations for “Fail to Comply” and “Driving While Suspended” have been forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for filing.

Road Temporarily Closed Because of Explosive Device: On Monday morning at 9:15 AM a Des Moines Officer was working radar enforcement when a pedestrian walked up and gave a description of a pipe bomb he saw just off the roadway. The explosive device was located about ten feet downhill from the shoulder of the roadway, in about the S. 23600 block of 16th Ave. South. The roadway was closed and Port of Seattle Bomb Technicians responded to the scene. The roadway was reopened at about 11:15 AM after the device had been disposed. Please see attached photograph.

20-Year Old Man Arrested for Vehicle Prowling on North Hill: On April 27th at about 1:15 AM a Des Moines Officer responded to the 20200 block of 8th Ave. South to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arriving in the area the officer was contacted by a citizen who reported her car had just been entered by two suspects and she saw one of the suspects drive away in a white Dodge Durango. The Officer arrested the driver after the vehicle had returned to the area. Numerous stolen items were recovered from the vehicle and the case is still under investigation.

When Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker takes off his badge on June 15, he won’t begin a traditional retirement.

In fact, Baker really won’t be retiring at all.

While he won’t become Seattle’s next police chief – his name is not on the list of 11 semi-finalists for that position announced by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn’s office on April 26 (see list below) – Baker will now put his original plan into play.

Baker said last month he is leaving the Des Moines Police Department after 6½ years to launch a long-planned law enforcement consulting service – The Business of Policing – with his wife, Shirley, an attorney.

But after announcing he would step down as chief, he decided to add his name to the pool of candidates to become Seattle’s top cop.

“Either way this works out, it will be good for me,” Baker said recently. “This is a win-win situation.”

Baker came to Des Moines as police chief in early 2004, after retiring from the Anaheim, Calif., police department where he served 29 years on that force, including as chief from 1999 to 2003.

The Seattle job opened last year when former Chief Gil Kerlikowske left to become President Obama’s drug czar.

Police chief finalists were selected by a 26-member selection committee comprised of Seattle city leaders.

One of the finalists is Anne Kirkpatrick, the Spokane police chief who previously was chief of the Federal Way Police Department.

In the meantime, Des Moines city officials are preparing to launch a nationwide search for a new police chief there.

Here’s the list of finalists as released by the Seattle Police Department on Monday, April 26, with, ironically, the current chief of police for Des Moines, Iowa on it:

• Judy Bradshaw, chief of police – Des Moines (Iowa) Police Department
• Rick Braziel, chief of police – Sacramento (Calif.) Police Department
• Adam Burden II, former assistant chief of police – Miami (Fla.) Police Department
• Ronald Davis, chief of police – East Palo Alto (Calif.) Police Department
• John Diaz, interim chief of police – Seattle Police Department
• Rick Gregory, chief administrative officer/acting public safety director – New Castle County (Del.)
• Clark Kimerer, deputy chief of police – Seattle Police Department
• Anne Kirkpatrick, chief of police – Spokane Police Department
• Jim Pugel, assistant chief of police – Seattle Police Department
• John Romero, chief of police – Lawrence (Mass.) Police Department
• Lisa Womack, former chief of police – Elgin (Ill.) Police Department

Here’s this week’s Des Moines Police Department’s Police Blotter, with local crime news fed to us directly from our good friends at the DMPD.

This week, the DMPD has crime reports about the arrest of Redondo’s “Drive-Thru Robber” as well as a strong-arm robbery:

DES MOINES POLICE BLOTTER NEWS (April 23, 2010):

Restaurant Drive-Thru Robbery Suspect Arrested and Charged: A 22 year old man has been charged with one count “Robbery 1” and one count “Attempted Robbery 1” stemming from the robberies he committed upon customers in a Redondo area restaurant drive-thru on March 16th. This incident was reported in the Waterland Blog the week of March 19th. Des Moines Police Department Detectives positively identified the robber after receiving a tip. The man is in the King County Jail and his bail has been set at $100,000.

Strong Arm Robbery at Bus Stop on S. 216th: On April 20th at about 9:45 p.m. two teenaged males were robbed by three older males at the bus stop in the 2600 block of S. 216th. The suspects were described as one African American and two Pacific Islanders, all in their late teens to early twenties. Items taken included a wallet, necklace, MP3 player and a Gameboy.

Retiring Des Moines Police Chief Roger Baker confirmed to The Seattle Times this week that he has applied for the vacant Seattle police chief position.

The names of six to eight semi-finalists for the position will be made public early next week, according to the Times.

Three finalists will be selected following interviews with the search committee on May 8. Their names will be submitted to Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn on May 11.

McGinn will choose the new police chief from among them, but that individual then must be confirmed by the city council.

Baker, 66, announced in March that he would leave the Des Moines post on June 15 to become a law enforcement consultant – a career move he has planned for some time.

He became police chief in Des Moines in January 2004 after serving 29 years with the Anaheim, CA, Police Department. He was chief of that agency from 1999 through 2003.

The only other candidates who have made their names public are interim Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, who was chosen for that position last March by former Mayor Greg Nickels, and Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, who previously served as Federal Way’s police chief.

Seattle’s new police chief will replace Gil Kerlikowske, who resigned in early 2009 to become federal Drug Czar in the Obama administration.