Ritzville Police Department Reports

Feb. 15, 12:50 p.m. – A complainant advised of a smell of an odor in the area of West Fifth Avenue. An officer responded and contacted Avista regarding a gas odor. It was determined it was being caused by a faulty furnace at a residence.

Feb. 15, 2:48 p.m. – An officer responded to a fire alarm call on West First Avenue. The exhaust of a truck running inside of a shop had triggered the alarm.

Feb. 15, 3:18 p.m. – A report of up to five gallons of gas being spilled on Bauman Street was received. An officer responded but could not determine the amount of gas spilled, and attendant washed down the area.

Feb. 15, 4:10 p.m. – A complainant advised of a natural gas smell on West Fifth Avenue. An Avista representative advised the home was safe.

Feb. 15, 4:10 p.m. –

An officer received a request for contact on West Main Avenue regarding the theft of funds from a nonprofit organization. After an investigation, Cory W. Bartlett, 40, of Ritzville was administratively booked into the Adams County Jail for theft in the second degree.

Feb. 15, 5:57 p.m. –

An officer received a request for contact on East First Avenue regarding assistance from earlier. After meeting with the officer, the subject did not require further assistance.

Feb. 16, 11:11 a.m. –

An ambulance was requested at Lind-Ritzville High School for a student who had fainted. An officer responded and assisted as needed until the ambulance crew arrived.

Feb. 16, 7:08 p.m. – A welfare check was received regarding a pickup that had been parked in an alley near West Main Avenue. It was later learned the vehicle owner had been taken to the hospital for an injury earlier in the day and had forgot to move the vehicle, but did when they were notified.

Feb. 17, 11:34 a.m. –

A request for assistance was received regarding a landlord-tenant issue on East Birch Street. The tenant had not paid for the month, but felt threatened by the manager. The tenant was given until the end of the month to move all their belongings. The complainant felt the situation was resolved after contacting the owner.

Feb. 17, 12:44 p.m. –

A report was received regarding a large black and white dog running at large near Fifth and Washington. The dog was located and followed the officer back to the yard it had escaped from.

Feb. 17, 4:25 p.m. – A call was received regarding movies that were borrowed but not returned from a location on West Main Avenue. Contact was made with both parties and it was suggested they sit down and resolve the issue themselves.

Feb. 18, 6:00 a.m. – A 9-1-1 call was received from West Fourth Avenue, but only static was heard. After contact was made, it was discovered the line was used only for computer use. The subject advised they would research the issue with their provider, as it was the second time it had occurred.

Feb. 18, 3:58 p.m. –

A report was received advising a semi-automatic pistol had been stolen from an unlocked vehicle on West Main Avenue. The car prowl incident had occurred on Jan. 25, but the owner just realized it was missing.

Feb. 18, 9:08 p.m. – An officer observed three subjects walking in the area of First and Columbia and contacted them due to criminal activity that had been occurring in the area at night. The officer dedicated the odor of marijuana on an underage subject. Lance D. Dwinell, 19, of Ritzville pulled out some marijuana and placed it on the hood of the patrol car, admitting it was his. Dwinell was arrested and transported to the Adams County Jail where he was booked and released.

Feb. 19, 4:43 a.m. – A complainant on East Sixth Avenue reported someone was in the shower. An officer responded, but prior to arrival was advised there was no need to respond as no one had been located in the home.

Feb. 19, 5:30 a.m. – A complainant advised of an ex-partner stalking and harassing the complainant about visitation with their child. An officer responded and checked the area, but was unable to locate the subject.

Feb. 19, 9:35 a.m. – A complainant on East Cherry Avenue advised of a landlord-tenant issue. An officer responded and determined it was a civil matter, and referred the complainant to the Attorney General’s website for information.

Feb. 19, 2:40 p.m. – A report of a burglary on East Main Avenue was reported. An officer responded and determined entry had been gained through a back window. Several items were taken from the building. The building was secured by the owner, and it remains under investigation.

Feb. 19, 4:43 p.m. – A complaint was received on West First Avenue regarding an individually not paying for accommodation at a local business. Both parties were contacted and advised it was a civil matter.

Feb. 19, 7:36 p.m. –

A report was received on East Cherry Avenue regarding several subjects in a field with flashlights doing drug deals. A second report was received from a subject advising they were stuck in the mud. An officer responded and assisted the subject. The vehicle was towed and there was no damage reported.

Feb. 19, 8:42 p.m. – A vehicle was stopped on First and Clark for operating without headlights. The driver Rachell A. Miller, 28, of Ritzville was subsequently arrested and booked for driving under the influence.

Feb. 20, 2:20 a.m. – A report of a suspicious subject walking the area of Fourth and Chelan was received. The area was checked by an officer who was unable to locate the subject.

Feb. 20, 6:08 a.m. – A 9-1-1 call was received from a line that had continual buzzing. The homeowner was contacted on West Fourth Avenue and the problem was determined to be on a line used for the computer. The problem had occurred a few days earlier, and the phone company had been notified regarding the issue.

Feb. 20, 2:41 p.m. – A complainant advised they believed there were trespassers in an abandoned house on West Broadway Avenue. The house had been the location where a burglary suspect had been arrested a few weeks prior. The residence was checked by two officers and they only observed a broken screen door.