Crime

Vancouver Police launch new crime map

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 8:11am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- The Vancouver Police Department launched a new crime mapping tool which can allow people to access a variety of information on local crimes.

The new crime map, through Crimereports.com, allows users to search for crimes by date range, by crime type, to receive alerts when crimes occur within a specific area, to submit an anonymous tip, which goes directly to Crime Stoppers of Oregon, or view crime mapping information on an IPhone via the Crimereports.com IPhone application.

This new mapping tool provides more information and has more user friendly features than the previous crime map and allows users to select only the crimes they want to view and set up defined areas to view. Crime locations are referenced by hundred block and cross street. Information is uploaded to the map daily from Vancouver Police Department reports.

This new crime map posts information that was difficult to locate with the prior system or required the assistance of law enforcement personnel to query. The new VPD crime map provides users easy to access crime information anytime.

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Police looking for rapist who claimed he was selling magazines

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Friday, October 28th, 2011, 9:29am

VANCOUVER, Wash. - Police say a woman was raped at knifepoint in her own home by a man who claimed to be a magazine salesman.

The crime happened around 3 p.m. on Oct. 25 at a home near Stapleton Road and Fourth Plain.

According to police, a woman answered her door and a man with a clipboard in his hand told her he was selling magazine subscriptions. But when she declined, he produced a knife, forced his way in and then sexually assaulted her. Police said the woman was so scared that she passed out and the man got away.

It is unclear whether the man was actually a magazine salesman who committed the crime while working or whether he was pretending to be one just to get access to the victim. The woman did not know the man.

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Vancouver Police NOW volunteers saturate city Saturday

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011, 8:00am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- More than 35 volunteers from the Vancouver Police Department's Neighbors On Watch (NOW) program will patrol Vancouver Saturday as part of a coordinated crime prevention mission.

This mission, also referred to as a "saturation patrol," coincides with National Make a Difference Day. These trained citizen patrollers in the NOW program will become extra eyes and ears in the community, with the goal of curbing crime by being highly visible and reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to police.

"These incredible volunteers are donating part of their weekend to help keep things safer for everyone who lives, works in, or visits our city," said Kelly Cheney, volunteer coordinator for the Vancouver Police Department. "Our NOW volunteers are truly making a difference in this community -- not just this weekend, but every time they step outside to patrol a park, business district or neighborhood."

NOW volunteers will patrol in pairs, using their own cars or the department's two vehicles that are equipped with electronic equipment and cameras to detect stolen license plates.

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Robber armed with knife steals $18K worth of cell phones

Submitted by KATU.com Staff

Friday, October 21st, 2011, 5:24pm

The theft happened around 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 at the AT&T store at 910 N.E. Tenney Road.

Read the story on KATU.com

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Police hoping public can help solve murder case of 61-year-old man

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Friday, September 30th, 2011, 9:00am

Police hoping public can help solve murder case of 61-year-old man

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Investigators from the Clark County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in solving the homicide of a homeless man in his 60s.

At approximately 8 p.m. Sept. 5, Clark County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the parking lot of Riverview Bank at 1220 Northeast 88th Street for a death investigation. Police found Vancouver resident David Michael Gates, 61, and later determined he was murdered.

There is little information known or available to police about Gates other than he was transient and that he frequented the Hazel Dell area of Clark County and regularly visits the local Hazel Dell businesses. Investigators from the Clark County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit are asking assistance from anyone having information as to Gates' whereabouts on Sept. 4-5, as well as any assistance on Gates' associates.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Major Crimes Unit Detectives Kevin Harper or Lindsay Schultz at: 1-877-Crime11 (1-877-274-6311) or email them at ccsomcu@gmail.com.

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'You stole my father's World War 2 American flag ... Shame on you.'

Submitted by Meghan Kalkstein

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 10:23am

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- There's a sign in front of a Vancouver home that doesn't mince words: 'You stole my father's World War 2 American flag in honor of 9-11 ... Shame on you.'

The owner of the sign, Vancouver resident Marguerite Houghton, is hoping the responsible party will return the enormous flag, which is roughly 10-feet by 7-feet. But it wasn't just big -- it carried a special meaning.

"It meant the world to me," Houghton said.

Houghton was given the flag after her father, a World War II gunner, died 15 years ago. She only brought the flag out twice -- once when 9-11 happened and again on the 10-year anniversary.

"I proudly hung it up again, even nailed it all the way across hoping nobody would take it and it was up for six days until Saturday morning," Houghton said.

That Saturday morning is when she noticed the flag had been stolen.

"Why would anybody want to take an American flag?," Houghton said. "To me, it's a sin. It's so wrong."

Now in the flag's place hangs the sign, showing what Houghton said is disbelief at the disrespect for those who served the victims of 9-11 and her father.

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Future mechanic has tools stolen from Vancouver home

Submitted by KATU Communities Staff

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011, 11:47pm

VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A recently-installed home security system might just catch thieves who stole hundreds of dollars of tools from a Vancouver man.

Andrey Rymar said after two car break-ins, he installed a home security system about 10 days ago. On Sept. 4, he had accidentally left the garage door open overnight after his kids were playing outside. With the home security system came a video surveillance system, which Rymar hopes will catch the perpetrators.

"The car turned around right then, came back and kind of slowed down," Rymar said. "(It) came closer, all the way to the curb, and then they passed by house, stopped there, and just a couple seconds later I see two guys running in, just bending over ... grab the tools, go on back"

The stolen tools include a bag, electrical clamp and a Craftsman tool set. Most of the tools have Rymar's "AR" initials on them. The stolen tools particularly hurt Rymar because he's currently a service worker for Tri-Met, but soon will start a mechanic apprenticeship where he was planning to use those tools.

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