UPDATE–Mail Theft Counterfeit Suspect Also Threatened Witnesses
The saga began early Tuesday morning, Nov. 30th.
SUSPECT 'CHASED' AWAY FROM TRYING TO BUST OPEN MAILBOXES
Police were called in Kennewick to the 300 block of North Fillmore Street where a male suspect was trying to use a crowbar to pry open the apartment community mailboxes. These units are right next to Albertson's on the west side just off Clearwater.
DID SUSPECT THREATEN TO HARM WITNESSES?
Police arrived around 12:09 AM and were told by witnesses the man (who'd left in a newer silver Jeep Wrangler) threatened to assault anyone who tried to stop him.
About 30 minutes later, another call came to KPD from a business nearby in the 5200 block of West Clearwater, where a suspect tried to pass a fake $100 bill. Prior to the fraud, the suspect had asked for directions to a hotel in the 600 block of North Columbia Center Boulevard (likely the Super 8 next to Applebee's). The description of the suspect matched that of the would-be mail theft man.
Police went to the hotel, and found the suspect's vehicle in the parking lot, and saw in plain view a tool that looked like the one witnesses said the man was using to try to break open the mailboxes. After contacting the hotel clerk, they found the man's room. That's when things got interesting.
SUSPECT REFUSED TO LEAVE THE ROOM DESPITE ORDERS
The man refused to come out, so Officers got a search warrant and 'removed' him. The man was taken to the Benton County jail where he is/was on a 72-hour investigative hold. No mention of why his identity was not released, likely due to the investigation.
Certainly, Police are going to want to know where he got the counterfeit money from.
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