Q: Is it illegal to leave my kids in the car while I run quick errands like picking up a package at the post office or grabbing milk at a store? — John

A: Actually, if they’re older kids and responsible, 10, 11, 12, 13 years old and you’re going to run into the store for a minute and grab something, fine, but kids that can’t help themselves, like pets, that are in infant seats, car seats or too small or can get in trouble because of the heat or get a car loose and rolling, that’s when you have a problem, so it all comes down to who you’re leaving in the car, little infants and kids, no, somebody’s going to call the police and we’re going to come get them out. If you’re leaving older kids in there that are responsible at 9, 10, 11 you’re probably going to be ok.” — Pierce County Det. Ed Troyer

WANTED BY DOC IN TRI-CITIES —
A high-violent gang member with ‘White Pride’ tattooed on his neck who recently got released from prison — is already in the wind in the Tri-Cities.

His name is Robert Carman but he goes by ‘Bobby.’

Department of Corrections officers say he never checked-in after getting out of prison earlier this year and could be hiding in Benton City, the Tri-Cities, Seattle or Idaho.

Officers say he’s been known to carry a gun and has a slew of convictions on his rap sheet.

Along with his ‘White Pride’ neck tattoo, he’s inked with tattoos on his right arm, including “Felonious” on his forearm.

If you know where he’s hiding, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

WANTED BY DOC IN KING COUNTY —
The Department of Corrections needs your help tracking down two-time violent burglar, Dean Upton, who’s missing and wanted for Escape in King County.

He’s breaking probation on one of the violent burglaries where he and two women tied up the victim and ransacked her hotel room.

He has some pretty distinctive tattoos including some on his hands and a tear-drop under his right eye.

He is a known gang member.

He’s known to use the fake name ‘Brady Cardell.’

if you know where he is, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

WANTED IN SEATTLE —
Seattle detectives need your help identifying a suspect who turned a simple shoplifting of shoes into an armed robbery.

He hit the Nordstrom Rack at Northgate Mall — and it was all caught on camera.

“You’re going to see in the video this guy walks into the store, brings his own bags by the way,” says Ret. Det. Myrle Carner with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. “He comes in and he’s looking around and you’ll see him actually go over to the purse rack as if he’s going to purchase one. He looks at it and kind of smirks and looks at the price, then you see him go out of view, what you don’t see though in a very short period of time is he helps himself to two or three pairs of really high-end athletic shoes and puts them in his bag and just casually walks out of the store. This whole thing is being observed by the security person on duty, so he follows the suspect out of the store and approaches him and basically says, ‘Come here, I’d like to talk to you,’ you know, well the guy takes a front to this immediately, all of a sudden he produces a knife and takes a swipe at the security guard who goes back into the store, dials 911 and tells the cops where the guy’s going, so we have a shoplift that turns into an armed robbery. This guy’s dangerous, he’s probably in a store right now doing the same thing, so if you know who he is we need to know that name.”

Detectives thing he’s Asian, in his 20’s or 30’s, around 5’10”, 170 pounds with long black hair and a Chin Curtain-style beard with no moustache.

If you can tell Seattle detectives his name, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

SEATTLE METROPOLITAN POLICE MUSEUM — Mayhem from ‘May Day’ protests in Seattle are just one scenario where officers have to wear special gear to protect themselves from violent crowds.

Thankfully, police are better equipped and protected than ever — a far cry from what their predecessors had.

Seattle Police Ofc. Jim Ritter has more in ‘Flashback.’

“Throughout the history of the United States law enforcement officers have had to control large groups of unruly citizens during periods of civil unrest. Although that has not changed over the years the methods and equipment police use to combat the violence has changed a lot.”

“Up through the 1920’s police used brute force to suppress violent mobs by using brass knuckles, clubs and firearms. By the 1930’s tear gas was increasingly used as a more efficient way to disperse crowds. A great example of teargas technology back in the 1930’s is a baton that doubled as a nightstick and a teargas dispenser by the officer putting a teargas cartridge in the end of the stick, pressing the trigger and launching the teargas out the end. Years later the teargas gun was invented. It held a cartridge full of teargas that was shot over the crowd and dispersed, causing the crowd to leave.”

“It’s important to remember that in the early days policemen assigned to riot duty wore their regular uniforms and had no protective gear at all. This method exposed them to a great deal of danger including the risk of being hit by rocks, bottles and other debris. It was a deadly situation that was eventually remedied by plain old ingenuity.”

“Police departments were very poor back in the day, one of the things they had to use were military surplus items such as a gas mask from WWII. The mask allowed the officer to breathe fresh air by filtering the air outside through a charcoal filter, through the tube and up into his nose.”

“By the 1960’s, racial and civil unrest increased considerably and police, although poorly funded, had to rely on their own ingenuity to make things work. A perfect example of that ingenuity were helmets. One at the museum is nothing more than a baseball helmet with a Plexiglass lens attached to it. Another at the museum is just a construction helmet with the same device attached. This may not have been perfect but it was a lot better than not having anything at all to protect your head from flying debris.”

“Another example of this ingenuity is a fire extinguisher with another bottle full of chemicals that was welded on to a steel holder that officers carried around to dispense teargas in the 1960’s. Later on in the ‘60’s a device appeared which is one of my favorites in the whole museum. It may look futuristic but I’ve had more officers than not complain about the fact that the teargas would be dispensed out the end and come right back in their face causing them more grief than the crowd.”

“Following Seattle’s WTO riots in 1999, law enforcement agencies throughout the state began issuing officers modern safety equipment for the first time in history.”

“Today’s police employ a variety of constantly changing strategies that attempt to reduce civilian casualties while still protecting officers that put their lives on the line during these violent encounters.”

“And that’s the way it was. I’m Officer Jim Ritter and this is ‘Flashback.’”

WANTED BY U.S MARSHALS —
Convicted felon, Floyd Best, has a federal drug warrant from the D.E.A. for selling meth.

U.S. Marshals say he’s used the fake names “Michael France” and “Dan France” on stolen ID cards before.

He’s been busted for being a felon with a gun, burglary and several drug crimes.

He’s from Moses lake, was last known to be in Oregon and has ties to Montana.

Marshals say he could be driving a gold/silver-colored 1990’s Honda Accord.

He may have a black Chihuahua dog with him.

If you know where he’s hiding, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

KILLERS WANTED IN SEATTLE —
Detectives need your help solving the case of a teen gunned down in a drive-by shooting on his way to the grocery store.

Robert Robinson’s family says he was a good kid and didn’t have enemies.

His murder happened in Beacon Hill on the afternoon of Sunday March 15th.

“We don’t know who did the shooting but there was a vehicle that left the scene on S. Forest St. at a high rate of speed, a blue, older Honda,” says Ret. Det. Myrle Carner with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. “Somebody saw that vehicle leaving, perhaps you got cut off or maybe you even took the time to write a plate down. Now’s the time to come forward. Crime Stoppers needs that information to help solve this homicide.”

As police search for Robert’s killers his family is asking for help from the community. “An evil force that’s going to drive up and gun somebody down, I mean he didn’t even have a chance,” said Robert’s uncle at a vigil held for his nephew. “Whoever did this we want him caught.”

Robert`s family says he was excited about his upcoming graduation from Cleveland High School.

If you can tell Seattle detectives anything about his murder or that blue, older Honda seen speeding away from the shooting, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

WANTED IN SPOKANE COUNTY —
Spokane County detectives need your help catching an accused criminal couple.

They say Andre Griffen and Kathrun Barclay cashed checks that were swiped from burglaries and car prowls.

Detectives say the surveillance photos below show them at one of the three Umpqua Banks in Spokane County where they used the stolen checks.

Both have warrants for identity theft. She’s also wanted for drugs. He’s also accused of domestic violence assault where she’s the victim.

Griffen is 6’0” and weighs 265 pounds — nearly 100 more than Kathrun Barclay’s 185 pound, 5’6” frame.

If you know where they’re hiding, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

FIFE — Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County is a big part of a non-profit that helps kids removed from homes by Child Protective Services and this week the group got a generous donation.

‘Larson Automotive Group’ presented a check for more than $5,500 to ‘Charlie`s Dinosaur,’ on Tuesday.

The program provides foster children with money, clothes and daily necessities to warm their hurting hearts. “We just thought, ‘Hey it’s another great reason to give back and help kids that are unfortunately put into foster care and they don’t have the things that most kids want,” said Rob Larson, Jr. at the check presentation event. Gary Sanders with ‘Charlie’s Dinosaur’ said, “They’re going through a pretty traumatic incident at the time, so it’s wonderful that the community comes together and help them through that.” And Lynelle Anderson with ‘Charlie’s Dinosaur’ added, “We see kids and it’s absolutely a joyous moment when we can provide something to a child and see them light up.”

The organization is named after Charlie Powell. He and his brother, Braden, were killed by their father following the disappearance of their mother, Susan Cox-Powell.

The boys’ grandparents teamed up with detectives who found Charlie’s drawing of a dinosaur that eventually became the organization’s logo.

If you’d like to help, CLICK HERE for more information on ‘Charlie’s Dinosaur.’

Q: I’ve wanted to work Crime Scene Investigation since I was a little girl but I got into criminal trouble for forgery more than a decade ago. I’ve since changed my life for the better and want to know if I could still get into CSI? — Krystal

A: “Krystal, if you do have a conviction for forged checks you need to find out if it’s a misdemeanor or a felony or was it when you were a juvenile? If it’s just a property crime you can go back to court and get them vacated, get the crime vacated to show that you’ve done good the past 10-12 years and get that taken off your record before you apply for a police job or corrections job, you’re going to need to have that done because with a felony record you’re not going to get hired. As far as CSI’s go they do work for the police departments and they do work with sheriff’s departments and they go through the same type of background, so you’re going to have to do some work on that criminal record.” — Pierce County Det. Ed Troyer

WASHINGTON STATE CRIME LAB — Less-lethal weapons are always being added to law enforcement arsenals.

A new one officers will see soon is designed to be used on a firearm — and is the first of its kind.

Forensic scientist Rick Wyant with the Washington State Crime Lab literally wrote the book on less lethal options for law enforcement and is always researching cutting-edge devices. “That’s the idea behind it,” he says. “You cause a great deal of pain without a high risk of injury.”

There’s a new option called “The Alternative” that’s much different than the more traditional bean bag or even sponge-nosed rounds often used instead of bullets. Wyant says, “It takes the lethal form of defense for a law enforcement officer and gives it a non-lethal option, so as you fire this firearm normally, with real ammunition the bullet is captured into this ball and the ball is propelled downrange toward the target.” One warning shot, per say and then a real one follows next. Wyant says, “It is fairly fascinating that it can take a bullet that’s traveling about 1,100 feet per second and slow it down to where it is a less-lethal projectile, so it’s going from 1,100 feet per second to maybe 300 feet per second.”

Christian Ellis is the CEO for ‘Alternative Ballistics’, the company who makes ‘The Alternative.’ “So what we do is we deliver a blunt force trauma to knock the person down,” says Ellis. “They can end up with some broken ribs but the likelihood of living is very high when compared to a bullet.”

But attaching a device to a real firearm has drawn its share of skepticism. “It would take a tremendous amount of training for applying this to your sidearm to not take any attention away from the subject that you’re looking at,” Wyant suggests.

Officers would also have to decide when to use the device. “We have the three second rule, if the officer cannot safely apply this in three seconds then so not even think of our technology,” Ellis says.

Whether or not law enforcement agencies adopt this latest option, Wyant says there are many more less-lethal alternatives not attached to a real firearm heading to the market soon saying, “Some electronic apparatus out there that will make you sick to your stomach and temporarily blind you and all of those are in development, but I would say in the next few years we’ll be seeing some of those that I talked about.”

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. — Detectives are working to identify a man police in Port Townsend say stole two flat screen TVs by conning a hotel clerk.

Surveillance video shows the man in the hotel lobby. Police say he claimed he worked for Verizon and needed two hotel rooms, claiming the company would call to pay.

When he got the keys, police say he went inside and stole the televisions.

The suspect was driving a green Honda CR-V — likely a 2007-2011 model.

If you recognize him, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. There is a cash reward of up to $1,000 for his name.

TACOMA — More than 500 drummers playing to the same beat may not even sound possible – but the annual ‘Woodstick Big Beat’ proves it is!

The event brings talent of all ages and sizes together for fun, love of music and to raise money for Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County’s program called ‘Groove – Music for Youth’ that provides instruments for schools in need and at-risk kids.

Organizers of the massive drumming event, who this year included the Emerald Queen Casino and Donn Bennett Drum Studios, bring in big names to teach, play and learn from the best – like REO Speedwagon drummer, Bryan Hitt. “I don’t know where I would be without drums in my life. I started playing in the 5th grade at school, thank God they had drums then in my school, but some schools don’t have that and some schools don’t have music programs anymore, so we’re trying to support that.”

Sunday’s event sold out, raised $15,000 and had support from several drum industry sponsors.

CLICK HERE for more information on Groove – Music for Youth and how you can donate.

CLICK HERE for more information on Crime Stoppers of Tacoma/Pierce County.

SEATTLE — When detectives on Seattle’s Major Crimes Task Force arrested a bike thief, they found a backpack full of his tools of the trade.

Along with a dozen needles, police found bolt cutters, a clamp, a jack and bike lock keys.

The 29-year-old suspect agreed to talk with us if we protected his identity.

He says he steals bikes to feed his addiction to heroin. He can get anywhere from $100 to $300 for a stolen bike and up to $400 for a high-end customized model.

“For the most part I`m not greedy so if I get a bike and it pays me $250 then I`m not going to go take another bike for a couple of days, you know.”

He spends his days prowling parking garages and downtown apartment buildings.

“For the most part I`m waiting for someone to come out of their garage and for the most I have to do is sneak in and if there`s a bike room I just have to open the bike room and from there I just slip a bike, pop the tires up and ride out.”

Seattle police say he’s part of a group of thieves targeting cyclists.

“To protect your bike, the best thing you can do is to chain up your bicycle using a Kryptonite lock, combine the frame and the tire around something to make it more difficult to steal the entire bike or to not just steal one part of a bike,” said Capt. Eric Sano with the Major Crimes Task Force.

Still, the thief we interviewed says he can beat any bike lock if given enough time. He says it matters more where you leave it.  He says a high-traffic public area will slow him down.

“I feel bad for taking every day but I don`t` see any way of, anything else I`m not good at other stuff that they`re doing out there,” he said.

FUGITIVE CAPTURED April 30, 2015 —
David Turner was arrested in California on Thursday.

FUGITIVE WANTED IN TACOMA April 29, 2015 —
Tacoma Police are asking for the public’s help finding a murder suspect who goes by the nickname “Beastie.”

Detectives say David “Beastie” Turner and three other men, including Thomas Potts, got into an argument with Larnell Griffin in the early morning hours of April 15. Police say they went to Griffin’s apartment in the 4000 block of S. Lawrence Street.

“They forced their way in and a shot was fired, killing the victim,” said Tacoma police officer Loretta Cool.

Griffin was shot during a struggle for the gun.

Potts has already been arrested but Turner is on the run and considered armed and dangerous.

Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist has charged Turner with second-degree murder.

“This defendant was not the trigger man, but he was an accomplice and, under Washington state law, in for a penny, in for a pound,” said Lindquist.

Turner has an extensive violent criminal history, including robbery, assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

“Just the fact that he would use physical force in a confrontation with four people ganging up on one leads us to believe he has a violent propensity and we would like him captured as quickly as possible,” Cool said.

Turner is white, 35 years old, 5’7” tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.  He has the letters “B.S.V.” tattooed on his right forearm.

Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to his arrest. Call the hotline anonymously at 1-800-222-tips.

KENT, Wash. – April 30th, 2015 – Kent investigators continue to work vigorously to ascertain any and all information which will lead them to those responsible for the April 16, 2015 shooting which resulted in the death of 1 year old Malijah Grant.

As the investigation unfolds, and as released prior, investigators say this shooting does not appear to be a random incident.

They are certain that there are people in the public with valuable information related to this shooting. Investigators are now seeking to talk to anyone who may have seen something suspicious or possibly observed anything out of the ordinary just prior to the shooting between 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the shopping complex near the Safeway grocery store located at 210 Washington Ave S., in Kent.

In addition, they are still seeking to talk to any witnesses who may have information related to the actual shooting which occurred at the intersection of Lake Fenwick and Reith Road at about 4:25 pm.

“Let us not forget that an innocent baby lost her life as a result of a cowardly act which resulted in fatal consequences,” said Kent Det. Melanie Robinson.  “If you have any information about this incident you know who you are, we are asking that you please come forward.”

Anyone with information which would assist us in this investigation is asked to call 911 or the Kent Police Department tip line at 253-856-5808.

Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is also offering a cash reward of $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charges of the suspects involved by calling the hotline anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.

WANTED IN KENT —
Three-time convicted felon, Tyree Johnson, is accused of shooting the mother of his children after trying to run her down.

“We had a woman and an acquaintance of hers walking down the roadway,” says Kent Det. Melanie Robinson. “Someone drove up really quick behind them, tried to run them off the road, they tried to run away, turned around and the woman realized that this is the father of her child, her ex-boyfriend, Tyree Johnson. He jumps out of the vehicle with a firearm in-hand and fires rounds at both victims. As a result she was shot in her backside. He jumps back in the vehicle and flees from the scene.”

Johnson’s ex-girlfriend lived.

He hasn’t been seen since the shooting.

Detectives think he could be hiding in Auburn or the Parkland/Spanaway areas of Pierce County.

He’s a known gang member with ties to Tacoma’s Hilltop neighborhood. His street name is “Tiny.” The tattoo on his neck says “253” — which is Tacoma’s area code.

Police say he could be driving an older gold or silver Ford Explorer.

Detectives definitely consider him to be “armed and dangerous.” If this guy’s going to take the time to rundown the mother of his child and shoot at her there’s some genuine concern here,” says Det. Robinson. “Obviously if he’s shooting at her not only did he want to hit her, he wanted her dead.”

If you know where he’s hiding, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

WANTED IN YAKIMA COUNTY —
Yakima County detectives need your help finding convicted felon, Ray Hernandez.

He’s accused of stealing his estranged wife’s car. Detectives say he later ditched it when it ran out of gas and he hasn’t been since.

Hernandez has been convicted of a felony drug bust.

Detectives say he lives homeless and could be hiding in the Wapato area.

If you know where he is, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.

Q: At what point can I use a gun to protect myself if someone is breaking into my home? What constitutes self-defense in that situation? – Tess in Puyallup

A: “Tess, if you’re going to use a gun while in your home the rule is you need to fear for your life or be in danger for yourself or others. If someone breaks into your home and you’re there and you’re armed and you fear for your safety you can use the gun. If they break in the home and see you and they’re running away down the street or across your yard and you fire at them after the threat is gone you could have a problem because that fear is no longer there and you need to be prudent when you use that firearm.” — Pierce County Det. Ed Troyer

WANTED IN SEATTLE —
Seattle detectives are hoping you can help a homeowner they say’s been targeted by burglars four times in three weeks.

Take a look at the map below. It shows S. Holly St. in Seattle’s Brighton neighborhood where the thieves kept returning. They stole bikes and tools from a garage the first time they hit and prowled through a car a week later.

The victims were fed up and bought a surveillance camera. “What you will see is a suspect enter the premise from the street, off an alley, who actually comes in through a driveway, goes to what basically is a door to a garage which really runs almost next to the front door of the house and all of a sudden he just leaves and walks away very casually, he doesn’t appear to be real nervous or in a hurry,” says Ret. Det. Myrle Carner with Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. “In the second case where we have the video the suspect is dressed in all white. He goes to that same door and he tries it and he looks around. This guy’s a little more nervous. He’s carrying a backpack then you see him pick up a sprinkler, he looks at it, kind of puts it under his arm and then he reaches up and grabs a box which turned out to be a box of garbage bags. In my professional opinion, I think the first suspect in all black probably passed on the word to the second one.”

The first suspect was smoking as he walked up to the home. Detectives think he’s about 5’7” and 170 pounds, wearing a dark baseball cap and black clothing.

The second suspect in the white track suit has dreadlocks in a large bun or ponytail.

If you can tell Seattle police who either of these burglars are, call an anonymous tip into:
CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers.