Police Blotter, August 20 - 26, 2016

Several calls were received regarding a large deer with a hammock entangled around its antlers that was wandering from yard to yard near 22nd Street and E Ave.

A State Fish and Wildlife officer eventually located the animal on Monday, Aug. 22, and was able to get it free of the hammock. The animal was uninjured.

Here are the other cases Anacortes Police reported on this week.

Saturday, August 20

A 31-year-old Port Angeles man was arrested for DUI after an officer stopped the car he was driving on SR 20 near Christianson Rd. for speeding.  The man displayed obvious signs of intoxication and failed field sobriety tests. He had a reported BAC of over double the legal limit.

Sunday, August 21

A vehicle parked in a marina parking lot in the 1000 block of Q Avenue sustained approximately $150 in damages to the rear driver’s side window which was broken out. In speaking with the vehicle owner, police were able to determine that some personal items were stolen from the vehicle. There are no suspects.

APD took a report from a vehicle owner who had parked her car at 22nd Street and R Avenue while she went for a walk early Sunday afternoon. Upon her return, she discovered her car’s rear driver’s side window had been broken out, though nothing else appeared out of place. 

A tenant at an apartment on 6th Street called police on Sunday evening to report that a nearby neighbor came out of his apartment and punched him in the face because he thought he was talking about him and a brief physical altercation ensued. Further investigation revealed that the two had had altercations in the past. After speaking with both parties and witnesses, the 29-year old suspect was charged with assault. 

A customer vehicle parked at a service station on Reservation Road was prowled early Sunday. The suspect took a guitar in the vehicle after breaking the rear passenger window. Nothing else of value was missing from the vehicle.

Monday, August 22

A couple of workers that had parked their work truck near the 13th Street ball fields noticed a man lean in to the truck and take something.  They yelled at him and gave chase, following him as he ran through the ball field complex.  A city employee working in the area also gave chase on a riding lawn mower.  The Police arrived in the area and the suspect was contacted, admitting that he had reached in to the truck and stolen a pack of cigarettes.  The cigarettes were found near the truck and returned to the owner.  The suspect, a 33-year-old Anacortes resident with an extensive criminal history, was charged with vehicle prowling and theft and released based upon his promise to appear in court.  

Tuesday, August 23

Just before 11 PM an officer in the downtown area stopped a 46-year-old Anacortes man who was riding a bike in the downtown area that had no lights or reflectors.  A routine check revealed that the subject had two misdemeanor warrants out for his arrest.  Due to overcrowding, the jail would not accept him for booking.  The man was taken to the police station where he was issued a new court date and released.  He was also advised that he needed to get a light for his bike as required by law, so that he would be more visible when riding at night. 

An Anacortes resident called to report that he had parked his car in the 1000 block of 4th Street at about 8:00PM.  He returned a couple of hours later and found that his car had been struck and the front bumper partially torn off.  There was a white paint transfer on his vehicle and it appeared that it was high enough that it was likely caused by a truck or SUV-type vehicle.  No note was left on his vehicle.  If you have any information as to who may be responsible for this accident, please call the APD TipLine at 360-299-1985.  All calls can be made anonymously. 

Wednesday, August 24

Police responded to a report of a stolen boat from a beach near the Fidalgo Bay Resort on Fidalgo Bay Rd.  The owner stated that he had beached his 10 ft. Inflatable boat at about 1:00 PM, and then discovered it missing about four hours later.  The boat has a white 15-HP Evinrude Outboard and a red gas can.  

Thursday, August 25

Just after 4:00 AM a patrolling Anacortes Officer noted a parked car on 15th Street with a door partially ajar.  He ran the registration and learned that the car belongs to a 35-year-old Anacortes man who had two warrants out for his arrest.  Upon closer inspection he found that the car’s owner was asleep and sitting in the driver’s seat.  The man was awakened, told that he was under arrest, and directed out of the car.  During the arrest it was discovered that the man had a large machete sitting next to him in the vehicle, as well as an AK style assault rifle with several loaded magazines.  After being advised of his rights, he declined to answer any questions.  There was no law that prevented the possession of the weapons by the subject, and he offered no explanation as why he was sleeping in his car on 15th Street or why there was a loaded assault rifle and machete in the car.  Due to overcrowding, the jail declined to accept him on his warrants. He was transported to the police station and issued a new court date, then released. 

Officers and Fire Personnel responded to a driftwood beach fire on Cap Sante Beach, located at the end of Rotary Park at the base of the Cap Sante Lookout.  The fire was extinguished. Citizens are reminded that there is a complete ban on fires in the city due to the exceptionally dry and windy conditions at this time.  For the most up to date fire information in the city check the Anacortes Fire Department’s Facebook page. 

Friday, August 26

At about 6:00 AM a downtown business called to report a suspicious vehicle in their parking lot with a couple of people sleeping in it.  Officers contacted the two men in the car and noted that it smelled strongly of burnt marijuana.  The passenger, a 21-year-old Oak Harbor resident, admitted that he had been smoking marijuana just before the police arrived.  He stated that he was a painter for a local builder in Anacortes and was getting ready to go to work.  Investigation revealed that the man had a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear on a Theft charge in Oak Harbor Municipal Court.  He was taken in to custody and transported to Oak Harbor where he was booked in to jail.  The driver of the vehicle was found to have a suspended license and was warned not to drive. The vehicle was moved out of the business lot and parked legally on the street.  

Note: Anacortes Police Department policy is to not include names or addresses of businesses or individuals that call 911 for police assistance, though this information is a matter of public record.