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Saves you time. Saves you money. Makes you smarter.The News Tribune, Tacoma, WA
Go behind the yellow tape with the TNT's Crime & Breaking News Team.

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 05:00:00 am

Pierce County law enforcement officers will be out on the streets today with speed radars as part of an ongoing campaign to target leadfoot drivers.

Starting at 7 a.m., officers will be targeting speeding “hot spots,” including River Road, State Route 509, Valley Avenue East, Highway 99 and Meridian, the Tacoma-Pierce County DUI Task Force reported. Officers will be out throughout the day.

The emphasis is part of a yearlong, statewide campaign aimed at curbing deadly and serious injury accidents.

During the X-52 campaign, beefed up patrols will be on the road each week of the year.

Also ...

Another nighttime seatbelt campaign starts Monday. Officers in Pierce County will be out looking for unbuckled drivers during the night time hours.

The Click It or Ticket It campaign will run through June 1.

Friday, May 16th, 2008

Posted by Adam Lynn @ 04:44:49 pm

UPDATE, 5:31 p.m.: Fire crews left the scene after finding nothing burning, Ericson reports.

A report of smoke in the area prompted the Puyallup Fire Department to respond to Good Samaritan Hospital this afternoon.

Fire department spokeswoman Lorri Ericson said crews are on the scene looking for the source of the smoke but that no fire had been found at the time of this writing.

We'll continue to monitor and update as necessary.

Categories: All, Fire, Puyallup
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 04:30:00 pm

Here are some reader thoughts on the devastating fire today that destroyed the Fabulous Firwood Roadhouse.

From Robert D. Forman in Mesa, Ariz.

I grew up in Firwood, WA., on Freeman Road, as children my siblings and I would gather pop bottles and beer bottle to take in to the Firwood Tavern and turn them in for penny candy. As an adult I spent many fun filled evening in the Firwood listening to the Great pretenders, Oh happy day, tis the end of an era.

From Linda Sallee

My husband and used to spend almost every Friday and Saturday night at the Firwood, dancing to the “Great Pretenders” almost 38 years (ago) about when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. We had some pretty wild time out there. But lots of great memories.

From Eileen Dozier

Well….

I can tell you that my plans for tonight have been cancelled~

We were planning to go tonight, as we have gone many random nights. We were excited that they were back up and running after all the things that they went through from the City.

The Firwood had several years of history, and many great performers have played on that stage. Well word got out about the renovation and the news owners!

I can tell you everyone knew about the Firwood, and it has been a great success in the last 2 years. Hyon & his family have made it a safe fun place for people to go and have a good time. They always had the line up changing, special events and just keeping everything fresh!

Here is what I can tell you what I loved most about the Firwood, it is the owners. They are great people who really worked hard for their dream place. We all respected it and were grateful for their hard work, especially those of us who are privileged to actually know the owners. They really appreciate our local military, support local charities and even helped some people change their lives. Now that will change because the very place that they helped so many people with is gone.

The loss of the Firwood is not just about the memories from the past, but it will forever affect the memories of our future too. My thoughts are with Hyon Kil & his family during the shocking tragedy. I do not know what their plans are for the future but I can tell you that they will have a lot of support.

Categories: All, Fire
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 03:06:11 pm

We've updated the story on the homepage about this morning's fire at the Fabulous Firwood Roadhouse.

The biggest news: Officials say the fire is suspicious. It started outside the building.

It's not been ruled an arson but that's not been ruled out, either.

Categories: All, Fire
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 11:35:24 am

As most of you probably know by now, the Fabulous Firwood Roadhouse burned to the ground this morning in a devastating fire.

As I've talked to people this morning, I've commonly heard, "The Firwood?!" One person remember dancing out on the dance floor years ago with his wife.

Every one knows the Firwood. It's an institution.

As part of our coverage of this story, we'd like to hear from you. Tell us about your memories of the place and memorable nights, memorable concerts, etc.

Post your thoughts to the blog or send me an e-mail at stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com

Categories: All, Youth crime 3 comments
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 08:11:08 am

Tacoma police were investigating two separate shootings that left two people with non-life threatening injuries Thursday night.

Here's what I know ...

The first was a driveby shooting in the 2100 block of South L Street. The shooting was reported at 7:33 p.m., Tacoma police reported.

The victim was shot in the hand and was being treated. No arrests were made.

UPDATE: The man walked into a local hospital and reported the shooting, Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said. He said the shots were fired from a black four-door car.

Members of the Tacoma police gang unit were working in the South End last night. They spotted a similar vehicle with four occupants inside about 15 minutes after the shooting.

They stopped the car. Two of the occupants were immediately detained, Fulghum said. Two others ran. Of those, an officer chased and caught up to one.

Officers found a stolen gun in the car. The three men, all convicted felons, were arrested and booked into Pierce County Jail on suspicion of unlawful possession of a firearm.

Tacoma police were continuing to investigate the shooting and whether the three were involved in the shooting.

The second shooting was reported just after 9:30 p.m.

Members of two rival gangs were exchanging "verbal volleys" in the 3500 block of Portland Avenue.

At some point, the talk turned to gunfire.

One of the suspects was hit. He was receiving treatment for minor injuries at Madigan Army Medical Center.

UPDATE:
The victim was shot in the forearm and leg.

A police dog responded to the scene to search for suspects but was found no one, Fulghum said.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Shooting 1 comment
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 05:58:19 am

Tacoma firefighters are on the scene of a fully-involved blaze at the Firwood Tavern in Fife.

Flames have consumed the building and firefighters are now battling it defensively.

That's about all I know. One of our photographers is headed to the scene to see what he can see.

I'll be out there in a little bit as well and will report back in. The smoke looks visible, from what KING 5 showed from one of its tower cams in the 5:30 a.m. news hour.

UDPATE 1:
I've updated the story on the homepage. You can find it here.

Fife police report the tavern recently opened after being closed for a couple of months to do repairs after a health department inspection. I'll be chasing that next.

UPDATE 2: I just got off the phone with a Tacoma fire dispatcher. He reported the fire is down to embers.

Tacoma fire crews plan to remain on scene throughout the day to watch for flare ups and to be on hand for investigators.

ATF agents and Fife police detectives plan to investigate.

UPDATE 3: We did write a story at the end of last year when the Firwood was closed down.

Read Ian's tale below.

=> Read more!

Categories: All, Fraud/ID theft, Fire

Thursday, May 15th, 2008

Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 05:00:00 pm

Pierce County sheriff's deputies raided a suspected drug house across the street from Spanaway Junior High School on Thursday.

Investigators arrested a 35-year-old man and 17-year-old boy who were living at the home in the 100 block of 157th Street East, sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer said.

The man was booked into Pierce County Jail on suspicion of unlawful drug possession. The teen was booked into Remann Hall juvenile jail on similar charges, Troyer said.

The department's school resource officers had received tips about the house.

"We believe this house was being used by kids to party and do drugs before and after school," Troyer said.

School resource officers and narcotics detectives investigated the information. They received a warrant to search the house and served it early Thursday.

Investigators found some drugs inside the house. Detectives cataloged other possible evidence in the house.

Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 01:58:37 pm

Tacoma police have blocked off streets and called in the SWAT team at a house in the 3500 block of South M Street.

The activity is part of a search for James D. Wamsley, Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

Wamsley is wanted on a gun charge. He's also a person of interest in a recent homicide.

UPDATE: Police have blocked off South L and South M streets between South 35th and 36th streets.

Fulghum said officers and SWAT officers were still on the scene. They still have not confirmed that Wamsley is in the house.

UPDATE 2: A reader sent in this photo of the scene for use on the blog. Thanks.

Update 3: Police report no one was at the home.



Categories: All, Tacoma, What was that?
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 11:34:46 am

Tacoma firefighters were on the scene of a house fire this morning.

The fire was reported just before 11 a.m. at a house in the 800 block of South Oakes Street, Tacoma fire spokesman Kevin O’Donnal said.

He could not comment on whether any one was injured in the blaze.

KIRO TV reported that a man was pulled from the burning house.

The house fire was under control, O’Donnal said.

One of our copy editors reports that KIRO's news helicopter is hovering overhead.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Fire
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 10:00:00 am

I didn't get a chance yesterday to post more details about James D. Wamsley and the accusations made against him.

Tacoma police detectives announced Wednesday they were searching for the 30-year-old Wamsley on a gun charge and as a person of interest in the Eric Nevils homicide. Nevils was fatally shot March 27 in a drug-related robbery in the 900 block of North Park Drive. Two men have been arrested in the case.

Pierce County prosecutors charged Wamsley last week with one count of first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to court documents, Tacoma detectives were executing a search warrant May 8 at a home in the 3500 block of South M Street.

A detective went into the garage and saw Wamsley, who immediately ran from the garage, got into a car and drove away at a high rate of speed.

Wamsley crashed the car into two parked vehicles just south of the intersection of South 35th and South J streets. He then ran and got away, court documents state.

Officers found a pistol in a holster on the front bench seat of the car. The passenger told police Wamsley had the holster on his waist earlier.

Wamsley has previously been convicted of residential burglary and at least nine other felonies. A suspected meth lab was found at the house during last week's search warrant.

As a side note, the service of this search warrant attracted some attention last week. And now we know exactly why. Lincoln High School went into a brief lockdown because of the search for Wamsley.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Wanted persons
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 09:57:43 am

I am still gathering some of the details but Tacoma firefighters responded to a business on the Tideflats this morning for a propane tank leak.

The leak has been stopped and no injuries were reported, firefighters reported.

UPDATE:
Tacoma firefighters responded to the report of a leak at Simpson Kraft shortly before 9 a.m. this morning.

Workers were filling a 1,000 gallon propane tank with propane when the filling hose failed, Tacoma Fire spokesman Kevin O'Donnal said.

"It just broke," he said of the hose.

The workers were evacuated by the time firefighters arrived.

Firefighter went in and shut off the leak at the valve below the hose. Officials estimated that about 600 gallons of propane leaked out before the valve was shut off.

Officials have gone through the building with their censors.

"The air is all clear," O'Donnal said. "Everything is under control."

Workers were returning to their duties.

Again, no injuries were reported.

Categories: All, Tacoma
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 09:39:05 am

Two people were stabbed repeatedly during a heated confrontation with a man in Upper Tacoma early Thursday, Tacoma police reported.

The victims – a man and woman – were taken to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries, which were described as serious but not life threatening, police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

Officers were searching for the suspect, who has been identified and is known to law enforcement, Fulghum added.

The victims and suspect arrived in the area of the 1100 block of South I Street in two vehicles about 4:50 a.m. During a brief argument, the suspect stabbed the man several times, Fulghum said.

The woman ran off. The suspect chased her down and stabbed her several times in front of Bates Technical College in Tacoma.

The suspect got back into his car and fled the area, Fulghum said.

The victims provided officers with information about the suspect. Detectives were investigating what the argument was about and the relationship between the victims and suspect.

“It was not a random encounter,” Fulghum said.

Investigators also were looking into why the victims and suspects were in the area. The victims do not live in that Upper Tacoma neighborhood where the crime happened, Fulghum said.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Assault 1 comment
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 08:01:42 am

You might see some of this training exercise today if you're in the Commencement Bay area today.

On Thursday, May 15, eleven Pierce County emergency response agencies will practice their ability to work together and with the U.S. Coast Guard during an incident on the water. The exercise is set to begin at 7:45 AM at Browns Point Improvement Club. The goal is to test both individual agency capabilities and their ability to communicate and effectively work together.

The exercise, designed to last eight hours, begins with a seminar facilitated by the Coast Guard describing techniques used to rescue victims from the water and boat decks. It will be followed by actual demonstrations of rescue swimmers hoisting victims into a helicopter. Responders have the opportunity to test their skills using personal water craft and boats in rescues. They will also train in using these different vessels simultaneously during water rescues.

According to Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum, participants will be doing vessel rescues and transferring of "patients" this morning.

The helicopter exercises will be this afternoon.

All the water activity will be in Commencement Bay near the Browns Point Lighthouse.

Categories: All, Maritime, Training

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008

Posted by Ian Demsky @ 07:47:40 pm

Jeremy Bates, the Roy man recently charged with making threats against a State Patrol trooper -- and who was convicted last year of attempted stalking against officers of the Roy Police department -- has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is competent to stand trial, court records show.

Categories: All, Pierce County, Courts
Posted by Ian Demsky @ 07:42:30 pm

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, May 14, during the National Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday or first thing Friday morning, May 15.

The National Peace Officers Memorial Day commemorates the service and sacrifice of America's law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

“Washington owes a great debt of gratitude to our state, federal, local and tribal law enforcement officers, who put themselves on the line for us every day,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire. “We also are deeply indebted to their families. Especially to the families of our fallen officers, we say clearly that we honor you and open our hearts to you.”

(Photo courtesy of dbking.)

Categories: What was that?
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 03:24:06 pm

Tacoma police detectives are searching for a 30-year-old man for unlawfully gun possession and in connection with a homicide earlier this year in the Old Town neighborhood.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of James D. Wamsley (pictured here). Pierce County prosecutors have charged Wamsley with first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

He's described as white, 6 feet 1 and 190 pounds. He has dark blonde hair, blue eyes and sometimes sports a goatee.

He's known on the streets as "Long Haired Jimmy."

He's a person of interest in the March 27 shooting death of Eric Nevils, a 30-year-old Parkland father and husband. Nevils was shot in what has described as a drug-related robbery. Two men have been arrested in the case.

The level of Wamsley's involvement in the homicide was still unknown.

“There’s some kind of involvement,” Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said. “We are just not sure to what extent.”

Investigators say he has an extensive criminal history and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to Wamsley's arrest. Callers remain anonymous.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Wanted persons
Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 02:11:25 pm

Tacoma police have arrested a second suspect in the March shooting death of a Parkland man in a quiet Old Town neighborhood.

Investigators arrested the man about 5:30 a.m. today. He was booked into Pierce County Jail on suspicion of first-degree murder, Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

He’s the second person to be arrested in the March 27 death of Eric Nevils. The 30-year-old husband and father was fatally shot about 8:30 p.m. in the 900 block of North Park Drive in what has been described as a drug-related robbery.

Last month, Pierce County prosecutors charged John Arthur Richardson III with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a gun in connection with the homicide. He pleaded not guilty and remains at the jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

According to court documents, Nevils and Richardson met so Nevils could buy cocaine from Richardson. Witnesses told police they saw Nevils get into Richardson’s car about 2 ½ hours before the shooting.

Richardson has told investigators that Nevils tried to rob him and another man that night. A struggle broke out among the three and Nevils was fatally shot.

The exact involvement of the man arrested Wednesday was not immediately released. Fulghum said investigators have been sorting through statements to determine who was involved in the shooting and how.

Investigators have been searching for this man for a week. Detectives served a series of search warrants in the Nevils homicide last week.

More arrests could be made in the case.

The investigation was continuing.

Categories: All, Tacoma, Homicide
Posted by Adam Lynn @ 11:00:51 am

Stacey wrote a comprehensive story a bit ago about the South Sound's battle against the scourge of graffiti.

Apparently, the problem isn't relegated to Tacoma and environs.

The city of Covington Police Department issued a news release today asking for the public's help in cracking down on the problem in the central King County town.

Here's the full version of the release:

Graffiti On The Rise In Covington
We Could Use Your Help!

Over the past several weeks that has been a noticeable increase in graffiti within the City of Covington. Much of this graffiti is simply "tagging", where an individual paints their mark or name to make their presence known. Coinciding with this tagging has also been an increase in gang related tagging activity, particularly in the Timberlane neighborhood, including gang graffiti which resulted in several arrests of known, armed gang members.

Most of these gang members come from outside of Covington, and bring with them the potential for violence and/or property damage. The Covington Police Department is committed to tackling this problem but needs your assistance. You are encouraged to call 911 when you witness any act of vandalism in progress.

If you find graffiti but the act is not in progress, please call the non emergency number of the King County Sheriff's Office, 206/296-3311 with the location and a description of the graffiti and request an officer contact you at the location where the graffiti has been painted. An officer will respond as soon as one is available. This will ensure a timely response by Police to document the incident, and Public Works, to clean the damage if possible.

Posted by Stacey Mulick @ 10:00:00 am

Pierce County Sheriff Paul Pastor has announced that he's reconfiguring the top of his command staff.

He is creating the position of undersheriff, who will be the No. 2 person in the Sheriff's Department. He's appointed Eileen Bisson to that new post.

For the reconfiguration, Pastor took one of the his three bureau chiefs (Bisson) and promoted her. So instead of three bureau chiefs, he'll have two bureau chiefs and an undersheriff.

Pastor sent out this announcement to Sheriff's Department folks Tuesday. Look for a story in the coming days in the News Tribune about the move and the budget implications.

Today I am announcing the creation of the position of Undersheriff for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.

This position, or one very much like it, is nearly universal in Sheriff’s Offices throughout Washington State and throughout the nation.

The Undersheriff position will initially have Bureau Chiefs as direct reports. Additional responsibilities will be assigned later.

This position will manage a number of day-to-day aspects of the agency as well as allow us to take stronger initiatives on key issues and be even more responsive to the community and to our personnel.

While this position has been requested in the budget for the past three years, neither the County Executive’s budget nor the County Council’s budget has included this position. I can no longer wait for requested budget adjustments to take place.

So, today I am creating the position and I am appointing Chief Eileen Bisson to fill this position.

At this time, in light of recent budget uncertainties, the responsibilities of the Chief of Administrative Services position currently occupied by Chief Bisson, will be distributed between the new Undersheriff position and the Chiefs of Operations Rick Adamson and Chief of Corrections Rob Masko.

Please join me in congratulating Undersheriff Eileen Bisson on her new position which will begin on Monday, 19 May 2008.



Lights & Sirens

This blog will provide breaking news, updates on on-going investigations and insights into other news from the local criminal justice community. It will also give The News Tribune another avenue to interact with readers, answer “What was that?” questions and provide a venue for readers to ask about on-going criminal justice issues and problems in their neighborhoods. The blog aims to inform, educate and, at times, entertain with weird or wacky crime news.

The Lineup

Stacey Mulick covers Pierce County crime and safety issues for The News Tribune. She’s been the crime reporter since May 2000 and been a reporter at the paper for more than seven years. Her first taste of Tacoma’s rich crime life was the Trang Dai massacre on July 5, 1998. Since, she’s reported on a slew of crimes, from scams targeting seniors to serial rapists to high-profile homicides. Contact her at stacey.mulick@thenewstribune.com.

Adam Lynn covers courts as part of the Crime and Breaking News Team at The News Tribune, where he’s worked since 2003. Lynn spent nearly half of his 20-year career chronicling criminal justice matters in Washington and won reporting awards for his coverage of serial killer Robert Yates. “The Corpse Had a Familiar Face” by renowned Miami Herald reporter Edna Buchanan is among his favorite books. You can contact him at adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com.

Ian Demsky covers criminal justice as part of the Crime and Breaking News Team at The News Tribune, where he’s worked since 2007. Before coming to the TNT, Demsky worked at newspapers in Florida, New York, Missouri, Tennessee and Oregon. Outside work, he reads science fiction and hikes. You can contact him at ian.demsky@thenewstribune.com.

Local crime links
Tacoma Police Department
Pierce County Sheriff's Department
Pierce County Superior Court
Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers
Tacoma Fire Department
King County Sheriff's Office
Washington State Patrol
Seattle Police Department
Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Safe Streets
The South Tacoma Way

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