Police Department Monthly Report

To: John Doan, City Administrator

From: Jon Weiks, Chief of Police

Date: February 15, 2023

Re: January 2023

Criminal Activity

2023-0080 Multiple Charges - Tumwater officers were dispatched to a report of a theft at a local retail store in the 5900 block of Littlerock Road While enroute to the call, officers were advised that the suspect had stolen merchandise from the store and was last seen on foot southbound on Littlerock Rd SW. A description of the suspect was provided to responding officers. The first officer to arrive located the suspect at the roundabout of Littlerock Rd SW and Kingswood Dr. The officer provided the suspect verbal commands in an effort to detain him regarding the theft. The suspect failed to follow commands, and continuously concealed his hands in his pocket and near his waistband. The officer maintained his distance in an effort to de-escalate the suspect. The officer advised the suspect had removed an unknown object from his waistband and pointed it at him and then concealed the item under his shirt The suspect verbalized to the officer the item was a gun and threatened to kill him and then walked away from the officer. The officer established probable cause to arrest the suspect for Felony Harassment – Threats to Kill and followed the suspect, giving him lawful orders and advising the suspect he was under arrest. The suspect continued on foot toward Odegard Road SW, and picked up his pace as the officer continued to follow at a distance. Another officer arrived in the area and also observed the suspect holding an unknown item in his hand under the shirt and pointing it at the pursuing officer and the Deputy who was following the suspect on foot. As they continued to follow the suspect, he turned onto Tyee Drive toward Toyota of Olympia. The second officer then heard the suspect announce that he had a gun. The suspect would occasionally turn towards the officers and point the unknown item at them. The suspect then sprinted to the service garage of the business, where an employee tried to intervene. The suspect distanced himself, pushed past a customer, and ran to the customer’s vehicle, got in, and started it in an attempt to flee. Two Toyota employees and the pursuing Deputy quickly removed the suspect from the vehicle and officers were able to arrest the suspect. The suspect actively resisted being arrested and repeatedly banged his head on the ground. After getting the suspect in handcuffs, officers stepped back in an attempt to deescalate the suspect who was still combative and yelling. Medical personnel were dispatched to provide aid when the suspect stated he had difficulty breathing. Aid arrived and the suspect was transported to the hospital for evaluation. The suspect was found to be in possession of blue pills suspected to be Fentanyl, and the item the suspect claimed was a gun was not located. Once the suspect was released from St.

Peter Hospital, he was transported and booked at the Thurston County Jail, where he was charged with Robbery 2nd degree, Felony Harassment (x2), Possession of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl, Theft 3rd degree, Obstructing Justice, and Resisting Arrest.

2023-0132 Arson 2nd - Tumwater Police and Tumwater Fire were dispatched to a report of smoke emitting from the Brewmaster’s House (formerly known as the Henderson House Museum), located at 602 Deschutes Parkway SW. Upon arrival, Tumwater Fire personnel discovered the northeast corner of the building was on fire. Tumwater Fire personnel extinguished the fire and called a fire investigator from the Olympia Fire Department to assist with the investigation. Based on evidence and existing surveillance video, the investigator was able to determine the fire was a result of Arson. The video recording was provided to the police department and an investigation was conducted. After reviewing the video, a detective was able to determine the suspect had intentionally lit the fire using a torch. Detectives canvassed the area and a nearby camp consisting of unhoused residents. The investigating detective immediately recognized one of the residents as a suspect, based on his appearance and clothing. While detaining the suspect, he was also found to have a large burn on his hand. Investigators interviewed the suspect and he confessed to setting the fire out of anger towards another uninvolved person who resided in the camp. The suspect was arrested and transported to the hospital for treatment of the burn, before being transported and booked at the Thurston County Jail for Arson 2nd degree.

Prescription Drug Drop Box

The public deposited 45 pounds of prescription drugs in January.

Budget

At the end of the month, the police department budget is 6.8% spent for the year.

K-9 STATISTICS

Officer Russ Mize & K9 James had 2 deployments:

1 Tracking

 Assisted the Lacey Police Department with tracking a Robbery 2nd degree suspect who had fled the scene on foot. Officer Mize responded to the scene and deployed K9 James at the location the suspect was last seen running. Officer Mize provided several K9 surrender warning announcements that went unanswered. K9 James was then provided a track command and began tracking the suspect K9 James was able to track the suspect to a nearby business and to clothing the suspect had discarded behind the business. K9 James continued to track the suspect around several nearby business, onto a paved walking trail, and to a hole in the trail fence that led to a known homeless encampment Due to the amount of foot traffic in the area and for their safety, the track was terminated

1 Locating/Compliance

 Assisted another Tumwater officer at the scene of a commercial burglary. Two suspects had been seen on surveillance cameras lurking around the commercial property by the property owner. Due to the location of the site and only having two officers available, K9 James was deployed to help locate any suspects and to deter any ambush or escape. As the team entered the property they heard a recorded voice over a speaker announcing to the suspects they needed to leave the property. The officers then observed a large shell (later determined to be an eight foot in diameter satellite dish) moving along the ground The officers could see hands and legs visible under the shell. Officer Mize announced the presence of police officers and K9 James. A lone male exited from under the shell and was compliant. The suspect was recognized by officers and detained. Officers were unable to locate the other suspect on the property. It was determined the detained suspect had not entered the building on the property, so he was cited for Criminal Trespassing 2nd degree at the request of the property owner and then released.

Officer Chase Grimmett and K9 Thor had 3 deployments:

1 Building Search

 Assisted other Tumwater officers at the scene of a commercial burglary alarm with forced entry (shattered window). Officer Grimmett responded to the scene and deployed K9 Thor to search for any suspects who may still be inside the building. Officer Grimmett provided several K9 surrender warning announcements that went unanswered. Officer Grimmett and K9 Thor then led officers into the building and K9 Thor completed an initial search. No suspects were located, but items of evidentiary value were located. Officers completed a secondary search and no suspects or other items of evidentiary value were located.

1 Locating/Compliance

 Assisted other Tumwater officers at the scene of a commercial burglary. The alarm company had notified dispatch they had observed a suspect moving through the property on surveillance cameras. This business has been targeted several times in the recent past and due to numerous hiding spots specific to this location and the lack of sufficient officers available to assist, Officer Grimmett deployed K9 Thor to assist in locating the suspect and to deter any ambush or escape. Officer Grimmett and K9 Thor, along with other officers, searched the property but were unable to locate anyone. Officers were also unable to determine if anything had been taken.

1 Tracking

 Assisted the Lacey Police Department in locating a Robbery 1st degree suspect who had fled from LPD officers on a bicycle. Officer Grimmett responded to the scene and deployed K9 Thor at the last location where the suspect had been seen. Officer Grimmett provided several K9 surrendered warning announcements, which went unanswered. Officer Grimmett then provided K9 Thor a track command and began tracking the suspect. The track led officers through an RV park, several businesses and then another RV park, before losing the scent and terminating the track.

Sro Activity

School Resource Officer Rosco Rollman participated in a re-entry meeting involving a Tumwater Middle School student.

School Resource Officer Tyler Boling participated in a re-entry meeting involving a Tumwater Middle School student, their parents, and school administration.

SRO Boling and SRO Rollman attended the Equity Summit hosted by the Tumwater School District. The summit focused on diversity and equity

SRO Boling and SRO Rollman provided security at various Black Hills High School and Tumwater High School basketball games throughout the month.

SRO Boling taught a drug and alcohol prevention class to a 7th grade Bush Middle School health class. Time was spent providing instruction, doing activities, and conducting a question and answer session.

SRO Boling provided instruction to Tumwater High School students regarding the “Fast Five” driving instruction. SRO Boling talked about safe driving and the hands-free law.

The SROs investigated the following incidents:

2023-0038 Theft - SRO Boling investigated a report of a lost wallet. The victim reported their wallet was lost while at school at Black Hills High School During the course of the investigation, the student’s wallet was recovered, but there was a large sum of money missing from the wallet. SRO Boling took a case report to investigate further, but the money has yet to be recovered and no charges have been filed.

2023-0070 Harassment - SRO Rollman is investigating a cyber-harassment complaint involving a Black Hills High School student. The victim reported being exploited via social media in exchange for photos. This is an ongoing investigation.

2023-0097 Assault - SRO Rollman took a report of a possible physical assault involving a Black Lake Elementary substitute teacher and a student. The case is still an active investigation.

2023-0117 MIP - SRO Rollman took a report of a Black Hills High School student who was in possession of alcohol on school grounds. The student also admitted to consuming the alcohol while on school property. This case is still an active investigation.

2023-0128 Weapon - SRO Boling investigated an allegation that a Black Hills High School student had a taken a knife to school and had threatened harm towards another student. The school expelled the suspect and SRO Boling conducted a harassment investigation. SRO Boling learned the student had threatened to stab another student and that was why he had taken the knife to school. SRO Boling referred the charge of Possessing a Dangerous Weapons on School Campus to the Thurston County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for consideration.

SRO Boling investigated a report of an alleged sexual offense that did not occur at one of the schools. During the course of the investigation, SRO Boling learned the alleged victim, a Tumwater High School student, was not recently assaulted, but instead was experiencing trauma from a prior incident. SRO Boling provided resources and guidance to resolve the issue.

SRO Rollman was alerted to a report that a Tumwater Middle School student was in possession of alcohol at school. SRO Rollman, along with school staff, recovered the alcohol The matter was turned over to the school administration for any discipline

SRO Rollman conducted an investigation that was referred by Department of Children, Youth and Families that was assigned to him involving a Tumwater School District student The student attends the Tumwater Virtual Academy and the allegation was regarding a possible sexual offense. This matter is still under investigation.

SRO Rollman responded to Tumwater Hill Elementary to assist the principal with a 9 year-old student who decided to leave campus early and walk home. SRO Rollman convinced the student to return to school, and while talking to that student learned the student was also suffering from some mental health issues.

SRO Rollman talked at length to the student’s parent about resources and scheduled an appointment with the school to conduct a safety plan.

SRO Boling investigated a report of a Tumwater High School student allegedly showing off a firearm while on school property. The cameras were reviewed and the information received was not consistent to what was observed on cameras. SRO Boling spoke with the student’s parent and determined the allegation was a hoax.

SRO Rollman was contacted by a Tumwater Middle School student, who wanted to talk about resources available regarding an abusive relationship they were involved in. SRO Rollman discussed the situation with the student, provided resources, and gave the student and their parents time to decide how to proceed.

Code Enforcement

Code Enforcement opened six cases this month:

 Person(s) living in a RV, accumulated waste, and inoperable vehicle on a residential property

 Person(s) living in a RV and accumulated waste on a residential property

 A rooster at a residential property

 Accumulated garbage on a residential property creating a rodent issue

 Accumulated garbage and a damaged fence at a residential property

 Inoperable vehicles and operating a business in a residential area

Code Enforcement closed two cases this month:

 Trash, noise, and numerous people living in RVs and sheds at a residential property was resolved when the property sold and was cleaned up by new owners

 Accumulated garbage and a damaged fence could not be observed at the reported property

Code Enforcement currently has 16 open cases.

Quantifiable Activity

* Self-Initiatedincludes:investigativefollow-ups,civilpaperworkservice,areachecks,business checks,schoolvisits,residentcontacts,trafficstopsandback-upactivity.

Personnel

 Carlos Quiles, Lieutenant – 21 years of service

 Chase Grimmett, Officer – 4 years of service

Training

 Two members attended a one-week Field Training Officer Academy

 One member attended a one-day FN303 Less-Lethal Launcher Instructor course

 One member attended a one-week Advanced Crisis/Hostage Negotiations course

 One member attended a one-week Advanced Explosive Breaching course (SWAT)

 Thirty-three members completed a mandatory department training day (covering Public Alerts, Domestic Violence, Taser 7, and Use of Force)

 Four TPD members of Thurston County SWAT attended monthly training

463 total training hours

Community Activity

Detective Danielle Dawson and Officer Rachael Black participated in the Boys & Girls Club Dress for Success event.

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as an interview panelist for the Tumwater School District’s Safety and Security Manager position oral interviews.

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as an interview panelist for the Aberdeen Police Department’s promotional process for the position of Lieutenant

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as a Spirit Judge for the Battle of the Billy Spirit Competition, alongside other City of Tumwater representatives, during the Black Hills High School vs. Tumwater High School Basketball double header.

COMMENDATIONS/LETTERS OF APPRECIATION

Officer Kelly Clark received a letter of commendation from the CEO of a local credit union for his work in handling a person inside the credit union experiencing some sort of mental health issue. The CEO wrote, “I just wanted to pass along my praise for Officer K. Clark today. We had an individual that was experiencing some challenges today in our branch (Tumwater) and he responded. I went downstairs and he was sitting with her, and he was just very calm and kind to her. You can really see the professionalism and maturity he has as an officer. The issue was resolved without much fanfare and my staff appreciated his time and help. We truly appreciate all the hard work the department does for our local community.”

Commander Jay Mason received a verbal commendation from a resident of Thunderbird Village Mobile Home Park The resident called the department to thank Commander Mason for the excellent presentation he provided the residents last week. The resident also wanted to pass along his appreciation for all the officers who visit the mobile home park and how they have been excellent to work with.