Kent, WASH., Feb. 19, 2013–A Kent man lost his life this morning in an early morning blaze at the Sunset Motel, 25006 Pacific Highway South, on Kent’s West Hill. The fire began as a small fire in the man’s room. The fire escalated and, once the fire was under control, the firemen found the man’s body. The unit where the fire originated was destroyed. Four other units were damaged by smoke, displacing its guests. The homeless guests are being assisted by the Red Cross to help them find new homes.

Kent Police Assistant Chief Pat Lowery said, “Our detectives will be working with the Fire Marshals to determine the origin or the fire. Once we have that established, we will turn to the King County Medical Examiner to identify the cause of death.”

Did you know that prescription drugs are the second most commonly abused narcotic preceded only by marijuana? A nation wide effort to reduce drug abuse, Prescription Drug Take Back Day is scheduled for Sat., April 28 from 9 am to 2 pm at the front of the Kent Police Station, next to Kent City Hall, 220 Fourth Avenue South in downtown Kent.  The goal of this unique program is to provide a safe and secure environment for the community to turn in unused, expired or otherwise unneeded medications.

Medications that can be dropped off include controlled, non-controlled and over the counter medicines; all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers and liquid products like cough syrup, cold medicines, etc.

Let’s reduce drug abuse!  If you have any of the above medications to get rid of, support the Prescription Drug Take Back Day by taking them to the Kent Police Station on Saturday, April 28 from  am to 2 pm.

Contributed by the Kent Police Department

Residential burglaries in Kent are on the rise! In particular, Kent burglary trends have shown that homes of Asian families are targeted because of unsecured valuables. Recently there have residential burglaries during the day time, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. Burglars are gaining access by punching holes in smaller windows next to front doors, punching holes in windows or smashing/prying rear slider doors. In each incident, cash, jewelry, and other valuable items have been targeted; especially “hidden” quantities of money. In some cases, the burglars knock or ring the door bell first. If no one answers, they are going to the back of the house to gain entrance through the sliding glass door.

Here are some ways to help prevent from becoming a victim:

- If you choose to keep cash and other important items in your home, keep them locked in a safe. You may also use a safe deposit box at a bank.

- Keep valuables such as purses, laptops, iPods, and jewelry out of plain sight from windows and doors and locked up if possible.

- Keep all windows and doors locked whether home or not, including back sliding doors.

- Install protective window film to smaller windows next to doors. This helps prevent breaking of glass and denying access to inside of front door.

- Do not leave your garage door open, even if you are at home.

It is important that neighbors be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood. Whenever you see anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately and then notify security. We encourage residents to call 9-1-1 even when something suspicious, such as an unknown person or car in the neighborhood, is occurring.

For more information go to www.kentpoliceceu.com, or contact Stacy Judd with the Kent Police Department at (253)856-5883.

Kent Police responded to a traffic accident after 3 am on Christmas Eve in the 26600 block of Woodland Way South, where three men received minor injuries. Police on the scene arrived to find a 2008 BMW Sedan wrapped around a large tree, with a driver and two passengers trapped inside. The Kent Police Department used the “jaws of life” to extract the three accident victims. The driver, a 3o-year-old Kent man, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. The other two men were transported to the hospital and released with minor injuries. According to a press release issued by the Kent Police Department, the vehicle’s seatbelts and airbags are credited with saving the occupants’ lives. The BMW, which was traveling at a high rate of speed before the crash, was totaled.

For the complete press release, visit the City of Kent website.

Information provided by Sgt. Jarod Kasner of Kent Police Department.

From the City of Kent:

Kent Police have arrested a suspect believed to be involved in the Halloween night murder of an 18 year old Kent man. Devon Topps was shot outside an east Kent home while leaving a private Halloween party near on October 31st of this year.

The arrest culminated an early evening cat-and-mouse surveillance effort by police. Working with information developed by Kent Police Detectives, undercover officers went to the Kings Arms Motel in Des Moines on a tip that evidence of the crime would be located there. Shortly thereafter detectives identified and followed two cars associated to the crime leaving the area. One of those cars was stopped a short time later without incident. When Detectives attempted to stop the second car, the driver sped into a nearby residential neighborhood before abandoning the vehicle.

Police surrounded the area and while searching for the vehicles two occupants, saw another car driving away quickly. When they tried to stop that car, officers saw a passenger jump out and run away. A Kent Police canine team was called in to assist. It was during that search that an alert Kent Detective driving through the area noticed a man crossing a parking lot a short distance away. That man, wearing only a t-shirt and jeans, was contacted and eventually identified as the suspect.

A twenty year old Auburn man was arrested and brought to the Kent City Jail. No stranger to local law enforcement, he has an extensive criminal history.

Kent Police Chief Steve Strachan noted “Our Detectives have been working on this senseless murder without rest. It’s good to finally have a suspect in jail and see this case moving forward toward prosecution”. The suspect will remain in Kent until formal charges are filed by the King County Prosecutor later today or tomorrow. At that time he will be transferred to King County Corrections.
Media Contact:
Lieutenant Pat Lowery
(253) 856-5833
plowery@ci.kent.wa.us

From Lt. Pat Lowery of Kent Police Department:

Kent Police are asking the public for assistance in locating a suspect in the death of an East Kent woman. Kent Police discovered the body of 45 year old Bonnie K. Peterson yesterday morning after a call from concerned friends brought Police to her home.

While details of the crime are still being reviewed by Detectives, Kent Police have identified Shawn David Gulseth as a suspect. Gulseth had a former romantic relationship with Peterson.

Police are cautioning the public NOT to try and interfere with Gulseth. “This is a crime of violence committed by a very dangerous person” said Kent Police Lieutenant Pat Lowery.

Anyone that knows the whereabouts of Shawn David Gulseth should call 9-1-1 immediately. Persons with information that may lead to his capture should call Kent Police Department at 253-856-5808 with their information.

Shawn David Gulseth
White male, 40 years old
Brown hair pulled back into a pony tail
Extensive tattoos from neck to arms

Kent Police Investigate Possible Homicide

December 21, 2010–Kent Police are investigating an apparent homicidal death on Kent’s East Hill. Patrol Officers were called to the Village at Lake Meridian Apartments, 25811 110 Avenue SE at 10:22 this morning for a death investigation.

Police were summoned by a family friend that had come to the victim’s home to check on her well being. Concerns were raised when family and friends were unable to reach the victim during the morning hours. That circumstance was described as a highly unusual for the victim.

Police initially entered the house and located the body of the 45 year old female resident inside. Officers secured the area around the apartment, and then obtained a search warrant to conduct their investigation. Working with the King County Prosecutors Office, Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians re-entered the apartment shortly after 1 PM. Once inside they found the crime scene to be in a state of disarray and the victim with obvious signs of trauma. A cause of death has not yet been determined, though the King County Medical Examiner will be on scene this evening conducting that portion of the investigation.

“This is a woman that was greatly loved by her friends and family,” noted Kent Police Lieutenant Pat Lowery, “the fact that this occurred just prior to the Christmas holiday only compounds the tragedy”. While Police have not identified a suspect at this time, there is nothing to indicate that the woman was a chance victim.

Detectives continue to work with family and friends in hopes of identifying a suspect and motive for this crime. Members of the public that have information regarding this crime should call the Kent Police Department at 253-856-5800.

Contributed by Lt. Pat Lowery of Kent Police Department
253-856-5833
plowery@ci.kent.wa.us

Kent Police Serve Search Warrant for Counterfeit Prescriptions
Police seize computers and guns from local apartment.

KENT, Wash. – December 7, 2010 – Kent Police and Valley SWAT personnel have served a search warrant at an east Kent apartment while investigating a prescription forgery ring. The warrant was served at the Birch Creek Apartments, 12953 SE 275 St, Kent, at 10 AM today. The residents of the apartment, a local man and woman, have been arrested. The search of their apartment is on-going.

Officers first became aware of the location while investigating a recent prescription forgery. Through investigation Police identified the source of the forged prescription as a 33 year old Kent man. Officers learned that the counterfeiting operation was run from the man’s apartment. Police also learned that the person of interest was a convicted felon and was in possession of at least one firearm.

Due to the presence of the firearm and the suspect’s history of violent crime, Police used a SWAT team to make contact. Early today, Kent Police surrounded the residence, evacuated neighboring apartments, and then used a Police Negotiator to call the suspect and his house mate from the apartment. The pair exited without incident. Detectives recovered an extensive amount of evidence pertaining to the forgeries, ID theft, as well as two guns.

Kent Police have charged the pair with ID Theft and Prescription Forgery. The man has also been charged as a Felon Possessing a Firearm. “We are very satisfied with the outcome of this investigation and the warrant service” noted Lieutenant Pat Lowery. Both suspects are being held in the Kent Corrections Center.

The scene of this morning’s arrests:

Kent businesses and employees, the Kent Police Department has identified a new trend to gain entry to businesses for unlawful purposes. Here is the information provided by Sara Wood, Public Education Specialist, for the Kent PD.

“Kent Police have identified a trend targeting businesses. Suspects are gaining access through the peep holes of doors and are drilling a hole in the door and using some type of device to pull the “push bar” and open the door. The suspects are targeting businesses and accessing rear doors that have no exterior handles, meaning the interior of the door is a push bar style.

One attempted burglary occurred on the East Hill last night. The suspects were unsuccessful gaining access to the door due to it being secured from the inside with an additional lock.

If you have a business with a door that has no exterior handles but a push bar on the inside, please consider utilizing a secondary locking device, ie. padlock, door frame lock, dowels, etc. Also, if you have an alarm system on your doors, make sure they are activated. If you have a surveillance system, be sure it is working properly and recording.”

Please share it with anyone you know who might be affected. Thank you!

Last night, Sergeant Pat Lowery of the Kent Police Department issued an email alert and subsequent press release about a fatal car accident in Kent last night. According to Sgt. Lowery, a two-year-old child was visiting a relative in the 21200 -block of 108th Ave. SE. The child slipped out of the back door of the house, as the child’s 43-year old aunt was arriving from Seattle. The child stepped down from the curb into the road, as the aunt jumped from her car to run toward the child. Both the child and the child’s aunt were hit simultaneously by two different vehicles, the child from a south bound vehicle driven by a 54-year-old Kent woman and the aunt by another south bound vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane driven by a 69-year-old Renton woman.

Kent police, fire and medics responded to the scene and worked to revive the victims before transporting them to Seattle’s Harborview Medical Center. The child was pronounced dead at the hospital; the aunt is still in the hospital with life-threatening industries.

So far, the investigation has not yielded any indication of alcohol or drugs being a contributing factor, nor does it appear that speed or reckless driving are factors in the tragic accident.

Sgt. Lowery said, “This appears to be a tragic accident that has left all involved devastated.”

UPDATE, Sept. 22, 9:04 pm:  Sgt. Pat Lowery reports that Shaneese Jones has returned home safe and sound. He asked me to thank iLoveKent.net readers for their assistance.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Sgt. Pat Lowery
(253) 856-5833

Kent Police Search for Missing Woman

Public’s help sought to locate 22 year old developmentally disabled resident.

Missing Kent Woman: Sharneese Johns

KENT, Wash – September 17, 2010. Kent Police are asking the community for assistance as they try to locate a missing woman.

It is believed that Sharneese Johns left her home in the area of SE 248 St and 104 Ave SE, also known as the Benson Highway, at about 1:30 pm on Monday, September 20. At the time she was wearing a black sweatshirt worn over a red t-shirt, blue jean pants, and black and gold shoes.

Ms. Johns may have boarded a Metro bus enroute to a local T J Maxx store or Green River Community College, though Police are still trying to determine if she reached either destination. She is also known to frequent
the Kent Library in downtown Kent.

Ms. Johns is developmentally disabled and her family describes her absence as highly unusual. For these reasons, they are very concerned about her well being.

Persons with information regarding the whereabouts of Sharneese Johns should contact the Kent Police Department at 253-856-5800. Persons seeing Ms. Johns should call 911 immediately.

Along with this week’s crime stats, the Kent Police Department cautions Kent residents to protect their vehicle and belongings. In particular, car prowlers are looking for these items:

• GPS units and holders
• Laptops, iPods, cell phones and other electronics
• Sports equipment and shopping bags
• Mail and money

Kent PD suggests that you park in well lit areas, lock doors, close windows and remove all valuables from your vehicle.

If you are the victim of a car prowl or see something suspicious, call 911. For more information, visit http://kentpoliceceu.com

From the Kent PD website:

Update, November 30, 2009:  According to media reports, the man’s death has been ruled a suicide.

Man Dies at Boeing Plant
Industrial accident being investigated

Kent, Wash. – November 18, 2009 – Kent police and Boeing officials are investigating the circumstances that led to an adult male dying in what appears to be an industrial accident.

Firefighters from Kent and Tukwila responded to the Kent Boeing Aerospace plant at approximately 2:00 pm. They were able to confirm that a man had died as a result of a piece of machinery. The man was authorized to be in the area and use the machinery where the incident took place.

Because of the unusual circumstances of the death, Kent police are investigating it. No further information will be available until the investigation is concluded and family members of the deceased are notified.

Contact:
Captain Kyle Ohashi, City of Kent
253-856-4481 office
206-972-4082 cell
253-856-4488 media line