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YAKIMA SHERIFF Sep. 1998

"Enforcement blitz" upcoming

YAKIMA (Friday 9-25-98)--The Yakima Sheriff's office will conduct observational surveys from Oct. 2 to 11 to see which drivers are and aren't using seatbelts, officers reported today.

 

Folks won't be aware of deputies by the side of the road doing the counting, and they won't be stopped, deputies said.

 

"We just sit and watch," said Lt. David Thompson. Earlier surveys in the West Valley area revealed 75 percent compliance with seat belt laws in the early morning, with 82 percent compliance in the afternoon.

 

The observational effort has been dubbed the "Three Flags Enforcement Blitz" and the YSO is helping a larger effort sponsored by the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

 

In addition to the survey, deputies will conduct media activities to promote safe driving--and they will focus on traffic enforcement.

 

Deputies will enforce use of child restraints. They will also concentrate on reducing speed, especially in school and construction zones. Drunk driving, valid drivers' licenses, current proof of liability insurance and outstanding arrest warrants also will come under close scrutiny, deputies said.

 

Freeway technique unappreciated

YAKIMA (Thursday 9-24-98)--A Yakima man reportedly has a unique way of meeting women in the wee hours of the morning.

 

Sheriff's deputies say he follows female motorists, speeds past them, pulls off the road, exits his Ford pickup, and then runs toward their oncoming vehicles. But he does this "wearing nothing but tennis shoes and a smile," deputies report.

 

None of the victims ever stopped their vehicles, none were physically assaulted, nor were they threatened, deputies say. But when a few spotted his license plate number, the fun was over.

 

Eddie Dean Ford, 43, was arrested in connection with two such incidents, deputies said.

 

Deputies ask that anyone having helpful info regarding these or similar incidents should call the Sheriff's office at (509) 574-2500 and refer to incident numbers 98-17567 and 98-16294.

Pickup hits house; driver dead

YAKIMA (Thursday 9-17-98)--The driver of a pickup truck apparently suffered a heart attack and struck a home early today. He was pronounced dead an hour later at Providence Hospital.

 

Sheriff's deputies said the 1988 GMC pickup truck, driven by Jerry Scroggins, 59, crossed 88th Avenue from a warehouse parking lot at about 5:35 a.m. and struck a home at 403 S. 88th Ave.

 

"Initial indications are Mr. Scroggins suffered a heart attack prior to striking the building," said Sheriff Lt. David Thompson. Scroggins was pronounced dead at 6:21 a.m.

 

Homeowner Colleen Kelly was home at the time of the crash and was not injured," deputies said.

 

Damage to the pickup was extensive, and it may have been totaled. The brick home also was extensively damaged because one corner reportedly was shifted upon impact.

 

Woman assaulted in her garage

YAKIMA (Wednesday 9-16-98)--A man attacked a woman after she drove into her garage in the area of 72nd Ave. and W. Nob Hill Blvd. at 11:43 p.m. last night, according to sheriff's deputies.

 

The woman told deputies she was returning home from work. She activated her garage door opener, and drove into her lit garage. As she exited her car, an unknown male approached her and grabbed her arms. The struggled, she got away, and the suspect fled.

 

The woman told deputies she saw no weapon, and no words were exchanged. The victim reportedly didn't suffer any serious physical injuries.

 

The woman described her attacker as dark skinned--possibly Asian or Hispanic--with dark hair, aged 20s to 30s, about 5"7 or 5'8" and medium build. He was wearing a dark cloth mask. All she could see was his small, dark eyes and his nose, according to reports. He was wearing a dark shirt, and dark blue or green shorts, revealing hairy legs, according to reports.

 

Sheriff Lt. Ken Irwin said the victim in this case probably could have done nothing more to protect herself than she did. But he cautioned the public to stay aware of who is around them at all times.

 

Those who may have helpful information about this incident are urged to call (509) 574-2500 and refer to incident number 98-17367.

 

Domestic dispute gets serious

YAKIMA (Monday 9-13-98)--A man-woman spat turned serious at early today when the couple injured each other.

 

Sheriff's Lt. Ken Irwin said the 6:48 a.m. fight between Shanea Speidel, 27, and Gabriel Ortiz, 34, occurred at Speidel's home in the 6600 block of Terry Avenue.

 

Speidel told deputies her boyfriend assaulted her. She suffered a black eye and a small cut on her face. Ortiz suffered a gunshot wound to the wrist, reportedly from a 410 shotgun.

 

Deputies said Speidel and Ortiz got into an argument earlier in the evening.

 

"The situation escalated to the point where Ortiz began to hit Speidel. Ms. Speidel went into a bathroom armed with a 410 shotgun. Mr. Ortiz broke in the door, when Speidel fired one round from the gun, striking Ortiz in the wrist," Irwin said.

 

When they realized the nature of the injury, they bandaged the wound and Ms. Speidel drove Ortiz to the hospital, deputies said. Irwin said YSO continues to investigate the incident.

 

Farmhand rapes Granger woman

GRANGER (Wednesday 9-10-98)--Yakima County sheriff's deputies told YVN today a Hispanic male raped a woman on Thacker Road outside Granger at about 8 a.m. Tuesday.

 

Deputies said the woman let a ranch worker she knew into her home to use the telephone. They said after using the phone the man "began acting strangely and approached the woman."

 

She reportedly opened the door for him to leave, but he refused.

 

"A fight ensued, according to Lt. Ken Irwin. "During the fight the suspect produced a knife. After more fighting, the man raped the woman, then left in his vehicle," Irwin said.

 

He said the woman didn't suffer serious physical injures.

 

Irwin said the man wanted in connection with the rape is Juan Jose Canseco, also known as Alberto Zapata. He is believed to have many aliases. Deputies urge anyone who knows Canseco's whereabouts to call them.

 

He is described as a Mexican male adult in his 30s, height 5' 5", weight 120 pounds, black hair, brown eyes. He was driving a 1983 Chev El Camino, blue over light blue, Washington license plate No. A81612A.

 

YVN will retrieve Canseco's mug shot as soon as YSO releases it, and hoist it up onto the 'Net.

 

Selah Save-On-Foods takes hit

SELAH (Saturday 9-5-98)--Selah Police told YVN today an armed male robbed the Save-On-Foods store at 800 N. Park Center, and escaped with an undetermined amount of cash.

 

Selah Police Lt. Alan Baird said four employees were inside the store at the time of the robbery. No one reportedly was harmed. No further description of the suspect was immediately available.

 

Police said the robber fled the store in an unknown direction and by unknown means.

 

"We're investigating the incident at this time," said Baird.

 

He said questions or information regarding the case should be directed to him or Selah Police Sgt. Rick Gutierrez. The PD's business phone number is (509) 698-7346.

Where's the "wave runner?"

YAKIMA (Friday 9-3-98)--Witnesses told Yakima sheriff's deputies a "wave runner" apparently crashed on the Yakima River at Highway 24 at around 7 p.m.today.

 

One witness said he spotted the southbound rider and machine from a vantage point on the dike along the river's east shore. He said he saw a large splash, then machine and rider disappeared.

 

The witness said he didn't hear the machine continue down the river. Other witnesses said they saw a riderless "wave runner" tumbling through the water as it went under a nearby bridge. There were conflicting reports regarding the rider's description and the color of his machine.

 

Deputies, plus members of Search and Rescue, Marine Patrol, East Valley fire and AMR ambulance, responded to the scene. They searched the area but located no one, deputies reported. No missing person calls have come in to the YSO.

 

Deputies are investigating, and would appreciate information at (509) 574-2500.

 

Injured horseback rider rescued

GOOSE PRAIRIE-- (Friday, 9-4-98)--A 21-year old horseback rider was rescued after his horse flipped and pinned him on the Twin Sisters Trail five miles northwest of here.

 

Lt. Dan Garcia said hikers, including an EMT from Wastern Washington, happened upon the mishap. Someone notified YSO from a cell-phone.

 

YSO notified the Army, whose M.A.S.T. group rescured Cory B. Peters, Burlington, from the wilderness area. M.A.S.T. rescued Peters at 4:20 and had him at Providence Hospital at 5 p.m.

 

Peters was reported in satisfactory condition with injuries to his hip and leg.