Buckley, Black Diamond police blotter | March 1 – April 3

Several spike strips laid to catch fleeing vehicles, a rude driver flipping the bird, and a good deed for a fleeing family.

BUCKLEY

March 1 – 8

– Officers located a stolen vehicle on SR 410 at Park Avenue, but the car sped away; officers were unable to pursue.

– Police were called to an A Street residence at the request of the city because the lock on the water meter was cut after the utility was shut off for non-payment. Officers explained to the homeowner that what they did was a crime, and a new lock was put on the meter.

– Pierce County deputies were in pursuit of a DUI driver on SR 162, and Buckley officers assisted by getting in front of the pursuit and laying spike strips. The suspect ran over the strips and, unfortunately, so did the two deputy vehicles. The driver was taken into custody.

March 9 – 15

– Officers were called to a residence of a 57 year-old woman who was found to have been dead for several days. The family spoke with police, and said she suffered from several medical issues. The Pierce County Medical Examiner declined to respond, so the body was released to a funeral home.

– Police arrested one man at the Econolodge for domestic violence assault and interfering with a 911 report.

– Bonney Lake police were pursuing a stolen vehicle into Buckley; officers put down spike strips to stop the car, but the driver took evasive action by driving into oncoming traffic to avoid the strips. The driver successfully eluded officers, but the car was later found abandoned.

– Officers came across a suspicious vehicle in the Mr. Bills marijuana dispensary parking lot, finding a mother and children who fled an abusive relationship. Police were able to provide them with lodgings for the night, and the mother was able to find temporary housing the next day. The Buckley City Council further discussed the event during their April 12 meeting, and were informed that Sgt. Arthur Fetter was the officer who provided a room for the family out of his own pocket. Chief Kurt Alfano clarified that Fetter will be reimbursed through the police association’s fundraising efforts, which is standard practice for cases like this one.

March 16 – 23

– Officers attempted to stop a speeding vehicle, but the driver sped up rather than stop. Unable to pursue, police alerted Bonney Lake officers of the incoming car.

– Police were called out by Washington State Patrol to a report of a struck deer. The deer, which turned out to be a young elk, was put down by officers. WSP completed the collision report.

– Officers were called to a residential area due to a man claiming he was going to die by suicide. Police found the subject dead in an alleyway, and an investigation revealed he was planning this for some time. The Pierce County Medical Examiner took custody of the body.

March 24 – 28

– Police were called out to the Brown Bear Car Wash to a report of two subjects breaking into the donation bins. On contact, subjects fled in a stolen truck and trailer. Officers followed the truck at a safe distance, informing Bonney Lake officers of the oncoming car, who managed to avoid BLPD spike strips. Police followed the truck to Elhi Hill, where Sumner police were able to spike the truck, though the subjects continued to drive on. Officers were now able to actively pursue (go above the speed limit) the truck as it was a danger on the road. The subjects eventually crashed into some bushes on Traffic Avenue and tried to flee on foot, though they were soon arrested. The driver was denied entry to jail due to medical issues, but several felony charges were forwarded to the Pierce County prosecutor.

BLACK DIAMOND

March 29

– Officers observed a suspicious vehicle on Dogwood Street around 2 a.m. The car had a damaged steering column, the title canceled, and incorrect plates. While the owner couldn’t be located the vehicle was impounded.

– Police assisted Enumlcaw officers around 5:45 a.m. in the arrest of one individual on Battesby Avenue.

– Officers were called to SE Mountain View Drive around 11:45 p.m. regarding a strange female looking around the reporting party’s yard with a flashlight. The reporting party confronted the female, and she left, though officers spotted her turning around in a nearby driveway. After making contact, the female told officers she was looking for a free item they saw posted on Facebook, though she could not show proof of the item, or the supposed address it was located at. The woman was warned not to trespass and released.

March 30

– Police were called to 232nd Avenue SE around 1 p.m. to talk to a resident who wanted to report a speeding vehicle. The resident told officers a car was speeding behind his, so he confronted him; the other driver reportedly flipped off the first and drove away. Officers located the other driver, who claimed he was not speeding, and that he was unjustly yelled at. Officers cleared the scene.

April 2

– Officers assisted in the exchange of information after a two-vehicle crash on 3rd Avenue around 10:30 a.m. Both cars were able to drive away from the scene, and neither driver needed medical attention; no one was cited, as the incident happened on private property.

April 3

– Police were called to 218th Place around 9:45 a.m. in regards to an improperly parked car. Police contacted the driver and requested it be moved.