Yakima police on Monday morning arrested a man they believe is responsible for the stabbing death of a 21-year-old man hours earlier.
Responding to a 2:30 a.m. call about an injured man near Pleasant Avenue and West Pierce Street, police said they found Ali Lemus Vargas in the street with multiple stab wounds to his head, chest and hands.
He was taken to a local hospital, but died a short time later, police said.
While at the scene, officers for several hours followed a trial of blood that led to a residence in the 1500 block of Seventh Avenue, where they found a 42-year-old man with hand injuries believed caused by a knife and a stab wound to his abdomen, police said.
Monday afternoon, two nearby residents said they didn't hear anything going on that morning.
Spray paint in the street marked where Vargas' body was found, and pointed out the trial of blood that ran along Pierce Street to Seventh Avenue.
Police said an interview with the suspect revealed that an argument between the two led to the stabbing.
Police said the suspect was booked into the Yakima County jail Monday on charges of second-degree murder.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/02/15/blood-trail-leads-police-to-suspect-in-stabbing-death
Monday, February 15, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sunnsyide shooting
On February 12th, a shooting was reported in Sunnyside at Yakima Valley Highway and N 1st St. No casualties were reported.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Toppenish drive by shooting
TOPPENISH -- A drive-by shooting Wednesday night left several bullet holes in an occupied home in the 700 block of East First Avenue, police say.
The victims said seven people were inside the residence when someone in a passing car opened fire about 8:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Toppenish Police Department.
No injuries were reported.
Neighbors described the suspect vehicle as a blue, four-door 1990s Toyota or Nissan. It was last seen going north on South I Street, police said.
Tips about the case may be reported to the police department at 509-865-4355.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/02/12/no-one-injured-in-toppenish-drive-by-shooting
The victims said seven people were inside the residence when someone in a passing car opened fire about 8:30 p.m., according to a news release from the Toppenish Police Department.
No injuries were reported.
Neighbors described the suspect vehicle as a blue, four-door 1990s Toyota or Nissan. It was last seen going north on South I Street, police said.
Tips about the case may be reported to the police department at 509-865-4355.
http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2010/02/12/no-one-injured-in-toppenish-drive-by-shooting
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sunnyside- shooting near Snipes Pump
On February 10th, gunshots were reported on the 1800 block of Snipes Pump road, south of Sunnyside. Of course, the Sheriffs didn't find nothin.
Grandview officer details gang activity for concerned citizens
Lynda Jo Staples
GRANDVIEW - Grandview Police Officer Rob Colley identified what community members need to know about gangs to an attentive audience of about 50 residents last night, Tuesday.
Colley tackled the issue of when to begin anti-gang work with children.
For police in schools, the age is fifth grade. "But it should start as soon as they hit first or second grade," he said of parental involvement.
One way police identify gangs is through social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. "If they're going to put it up there, we're going to use it," he said.
Colley said gang members are beginning to understand the police department makes note of self-proclaimed gang members for tracking purposes and that courts have determined the hand signs as gang activity. For that reason, he said, they will black out their hand signals in social network photos.
Colley took a moment to explain graffiti to the crowd, and noted some of what people see about town is not done by typical gang members, but by newer gangs that are sprouting up, some of which are comprised of kids who have no criminal history.
Colley said if a person can be identified on graffiti through a moniker, "We can go after them and prosecute them."
Graffiti left unchanged or unmarked re-affirms gang control in a particular area, he said.
Colley was asked how well Lower Yakima Valley law enforcement agencies communicate with each other regarding any type of gang activity. "Sunnyside, Prosser and Grandview are all linked together," he explained, noting contact is frequently and rapidly made when anything new springs up.
Colley said some gang members have expressed disgust toward police because they feel harassed. "They say, 'You're stalking us, you're going after us'," he said.
"We make it unbearable for them to stay here and we're going to continue to go after them, prosecuting them to the best of our ability, and getting them out of our town," he said.
http://www.dailysunnews.com/DSNNews2.shtml
GRANDVIEW - Grandview Police Officer Rob Colley identified what community members need to know about gangs to an attentive audience of about 50 residents last night, Tuesday.
Colley tackled the issue of when to begin anti-gang work with children.
For police in schools, the age is fifth grade. "But it should start as soon as they hit first or second grade," he said of parental involvement.
One way police identify gangs is through social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace. "If they're going to put it up there, we're going to use it," he said.
Colley said gang members are beginning to understand the police department makes note of self-proclaimed gang members for tracking purposes and that courts have determined the hand signs as gang activity. For that reason, he said, they will black out their hand signals in social network photos.
Colley took a moment to explain graffiti to the crowd, and noted some of what people see about town is not done by typical gang members, but by newer gangs that are sprouting up, some of which are comprised of kids who have no criminal history.
Colley said if a person can be identified on graffiti through a moniker, "We can go after them and prosecute them."
Graffiti left unchanged or unmarked re-affirms gang control in a particular area, he said.
Colley was asked how well Lower Yakima Valley law enforcement agencies communicate with each other regarding any type of gang activity. "Sunnyside, Prosser and Grandview are all linked together," he explained, noting contact is frequently and rapidly made when anything new springs up.
Colley said some gang members have expressed disgust toward police because they feel harassed. "They say, 'You're stalking us, you're going after us'," he said.
"We make it unbearable for them to stay here and we're going to continue to go after them, prosecuting them to the best of our ability, and getting them out of our town," he said.
http://www.dailysunnews.com/DSNNews2.shtml
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Toppenish shooting
On February 9th, at the 100 Block of Berger Lane in Toppenish an assault with a firearm was reported. No information is available as to victims or suspects.
New comprehensive youth gang project
YAKIMA, Wash. -- There have been many attempts to curb Yakima County's gang problem, but it continues to grow. Organizers of the Yakima County Comprehensive Youth Gang Project say this time it'll be different.
"I'm optimistic because we've actually brought everyone together and we're all going in the same direction. When communities try to go ten different directions to solve a social program it doesn't work. This will work, I guarantee it," said Harold Delia, court administrator, Yakima County Courts.
This new plan attacks the gang problem from all angles, prevention, intervention and suppression. It's targeted at high risk children ages twelve to twenty one. Kids that are involved in gangs or likely to join.
Herold recalls a conversation he had with a former gang leader. "And he said to me, I'll never forget this 'If you don't want 'em, we'll take 'em' and I think that's what this is all about, the community has to step up and say we want you because the gangs will provide that service if we don't," said Delia.
Aimed at engaging youth the project includes: After school programs, school re-entry assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, the development of positive recreational activities, and specialized mentoring.
The group includes a who's-who of Yakima Valley leadership and Yakima County Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said it's going to take everyone to tackle the gang problem.
"If we have a community that's not actively engaged in this that just becomes a breeding ground or fostering ground for gang activities," said Bouchey.
Now this ambitious project is only being funded by $200,000 from the state, but Delia said they'll be getting $500,000 in August from the federal government and that's renewable for three years. They've also applied for a Gates grant.
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?s=11960219
"I'm optimistic because we've actually brought everyone together and we're all going in the same direction. When communities try to go ten different directions to solve a social program it doesn't work. This will work, I guarantee it," said Harold Delia, court administrator, Yakima County Courts.
This new plan attacks the gang problem from all angles, prevention, intervention and suppression. It's targeted at high risk children ages twelve to twenty one. Kids that are involved in gangs or likely to join.
Herold recalls a conversation he had with a former gang leader. "And he said to me, I'll never forget this 'If you don't want 'em, we'll take 'em' and I think that's what this is all about, the community has to step up and say we want you because the gangs will provide that service if we don't," said Delia.
Aimed at engaging youth the project includes: After school programs, school re-entry assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment, the development of positive recreational activities, and specialized mentoring.
The group includes a who's-who of Yakima Valley leadership and Yakima County Commissioner Kevin Bouchey said it's going to take everyone to tackle the gang problem.
"If we have a community that's not actively engaged in this that just becomes a breeding ground or fostering ground for gang activities," said Bouchey.
Now this ambitious project is only being funded by $200,000 from the state, but Delia said they'll be getting $500,000 in August from the federal government and that's renewable for three years. They've also applied for a Gates grant.
http://www.kndu.com/Global/story.asp?s=11960219
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