Law Enforcement
■ Feb. 2 - An officer was dispatched to an Abbotsford residence in reference to a disturbance. The officer was advised that the caller was concerned for their safety due to an argument between her and her spouse. The officer was let inside of the residence by a male, identified as the caller’s husband. The officer met with the caller in one of the bedrooms of the residence, who stated there was an argument between her and her husband, and that he was getting out of control. She stated she was scared because he could hurt her or her daughter and had called because she wanted someone to be there while she packed up her items to stay somewhere else for the night.
The caller stated that her husband is unhappy and blames her for everything. He had gotten mad at their daughter earlier because she had to go to the bathroom, and he had to pull over on the side of the road to allow her to go. Then, when they were back home, he got mad that the daughter was watching her tablet while eating. The husband started to yell and threatened to kill her if she didn’t discipline their daughter. She said she did not want to report him, she just wanted to pack her stuff up and leave. She stated that she could not sleep there tonight because the husband was there and he had the passcode to get into the residence.
The officer observed the bedroom door to be broken, with damage near the door handle, and a metal latch on the floor near the west side of the bed. The officer asked the caller what had happened to the door. The caller stated that the husband broke it. The officer asked if the husband had hit her or her daughter tonight. The caller said not yet. She stated this has happened a lot of times in the past and that she did not want to live here anymore.
The officer then spoke with the husband, who said he was mad at their daughter because they were coming back from Minnesota, and while at a gas station, he asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom. She said no, but after five minutes on the road, she said she needed to go to the bathroom. Then when they got back to the residence, he got mad she was on her tablet while eating, which he had told her she couldn’t do. The officer asked if he was mad at the daughter or his wife. He stated he was mad at the daughter a little for not listening, but madder at his wife for allowing her behavior.
The officer asked what happened to the door. The husband stated that he had shut the door very hard and when he tried to open it, it was stuck shut, so he had to kick it open. The officer asked if he had threatened his wife. He stated no, not at all. He was just yelling and screaming because she never listens to him. The officer asked if arguments like this have happened in the past. He stated yes, and admitted they have been physical in the past, but not the one that day.
The husband was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct (domestic related) and criminal damage to property. He was transported to the Clark County Jail. The caller did not want to fill out the domestic abuse worksheet and waived the 72 hour no contact.
■ ■ Feb. 4 - An officer pulled over a vehicle with an expired registration plate traveling on STH 13 in Colby. The officer met with the driver and explained the reason for the traffic stop. Dispatch reported that driver had revoked driver’s license due to an alcohol related offense and a warrant issued through Taylor County. The driver told the officer they would be able to post bond. The driver was arrested and was taken to the police station, where they received a citation for operating after revocation due to alcohol. The full bond of $2,250 was posted and the driver was released.
■ ■ Feb. 5 - An officer was dispatched to a Colby residence in reference to a threat complaint. The complainant stated that two years ago, while going through the courts for a child custody issue with his ex-wife, he had brought up the ex-wife’s boyfriend’s possible drug history. In response, the boyfriend had told the complainant to watch his mouth.
Recently, while speaking with his ex-wife on the phone, the complainant said he did not want the boyfriend to be in the car when she drops off the children. The boyfriend took the phone from the ex and started to yell and swear at the complainant. The boyfriend threatened that he would beat the complainant up. The complainant said the boyfriend had not threatened him between the first time, two years ago, and the most recent incident. The complainant had installed security cameras after the first threat, and although the boyfriend had not acted on that threat, the complainant was worried about this new one due to the escalation. The complainant stated he would like this incident to be documented.
■ ■ Feb. 7 - An officer pulled over a vehicle traveling through Colby after observing an object hanging from the rear view mirror, obstructing the driver’s view. The officer met with the driver and front seat passenger, and asked them where they were coming from. The driver stated they had picked up their sister from work in Abbotsford, and was driving back home to Unity. The driver admitted to not having insurance on their vehicle.
While running the driver’s ID, the K9 unit was deployed and alerted to the rear of the vehicle. The officer had the driver exit the vehicle to be searched. The driver said they had a pipe in their front jean pocket. The officer located a metal pipe and clear container with marijuana. The officer confiscated the evidence for testing. A search of the vehicle revealed nothing else. The officer contacted probation to inform them of what was found on the driver. Probation informed the officer that they would not be placing a hold on the driver. The driver was released from the stop. The evidence was later tested and both the pipe and contents of the container came back positive for marijuana.
On Feb. 9, the officer contacted probation to inform them that the driver would be charged with possession of THC (second offense) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Probation advised that they would be issuing a warrant for the driver. The officer and a Clark County deputy drove toward the driver’s residence to arrest them for the warrant. The officer observed the driver’s vehicle driving northbound on STH 13 as they were driving southbound, just entering Unity. The officer turned around to catch up with the vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle near Colby. The driver was informed of the warrant, placed under arrest, and taken to the Clark County Jail.
■ ■ Feb. 7 - An officer was dispatched to a Colby business in reference to a vehicle in the parking lot with no license plate that had nearly struck another vehicle. Dispatch advised that the driver seemed to be under the influence of something. The officer located the vehicle parked in the parking lot. The officer parked nearby to see if the vehicle would leave. After several minutes, the vehicle was observed leaving the parking lot. The officer did not locate any license plate on the rear of the vehicle, and a traffic stop was conducted.
The officer met with the driver and observed the driver to be jittery as they handed their driver’s license over. The officer also ran the vehicle’s identification number, and the registration came back expired. The K9 unit was deployed and alerted to the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The officer had the driver exit their vehicle and walk to the front of the patrol vehicle. While walking, the driver was observed to appear jittery, as if they were under the influence of some sort of drug. A search of the driver’s person and vehicle revealed nothing illegal.
The officer then asked the driver if they would be willing to do field sobriety tests due to their shaking. The driver agreed. The officer asked the driver when was the last time they used methamphetamine, as they knew that use of that drug could cause someone to shake or act jittery. The driver stated they had last used the drug a couple days ago. The officer advised that the driver wouldn’t be that jittery if they had used methamphetamine a couple days ago. The driver then stated they last used methamphetamine earlier that day. The driver was placed under arrest for operating while under the influence (1st). The driver agreed to submit to an evidentiary chemical test of their blood and was transported to the hospital in Stanley. The driver was issued a citation for operating while under the influence (1st), and non-registration of auto.
