KENNEWICK, Wash.-A 28-year-old man is in custody on suspicion of trespassing and drug possession after acting suspiciously near an elementary school in Richland.
A Paraeducator at Amon Creek Elementary notified the School’s Safety Officer around 8:14 a.m. of a man acting strange in a field by the school, according to Kennewick Police.
The SSO then watched the man until he was out of sight and radioed to get more officers on scene.
A concerned parent also reported the man who was reportedly dressed all in black in a “tactical” manner and was doing karate motions in the air.
Richland and Kennewick Police arrived on the scene as the man was leaving and he was later located jumping over fences in the Hanson Park neighborhood in the 8600 block of W. 3rd Avenue.
As police officers tried to contact the suspect he reportedly crawled under the deck of a home and refused to come out, according to KPD’s press release on the incident.
The homeowner gave KPD officers permission to cut holes in the deck to get the suspect out and he was arrested without further incident.
The suspect was booked into the Benton County Jail on suspicion of three counts of trespassing, obstructing a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and possession of methamphetamine.
The individual arrested never went onto school grounds, however, the KPD is reminding the community to be aware of and report any suspicious activity at all times.
