Blaine Police Department reports: October 16-23

All law enforcement incidents are reviewed on a daily basis by the Blaine chief of police.  Depending on the nature of the incident, the chief directs police personnel to conduct a follow-up investigation. Visit thenorthernlight.com to read a full list of reports. 

October 16, 9:35 p.m.: An officer working routine patrol within the city limits of Blaine observed a vehicle whose registered owner showed a suspended license status. Officers stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as the registered owner. Officers arrested, cited and released the individual with a mandatory court date. Officers allowed the individual to leave the vehicle legally parked to be later retrieved by a licensed driver. Officers cleared with no further

October 16, 8:33 p.m.: Officers attempted to contact a man who had a warrant for DUI and ignition interlock violation. The man appeared to be home but did not answer the door. Officers cleared.

October 16, 10:09 p.m.: Officers responded to a commercial burglary alarm in the 200 block of Marine Drive. Officers arrived and determined the alarm was false and the business was secure. Officers cleared with no further incident. A false alarm report will be sent to the business.

October 16, 10:10 p.m.: Blaine police were dispatched to multiple reports of a wrong way driver northbound in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5. Police checked the area but were unable to locate any vehicles. Police cleared without incident.

October 16, 10:27 p.m.: An officer on patrol was flagged down by a 19-year-old man near a closed business. The man claimed two employees had thrown rocks at him. The young transient man is known to police. Employees of the closed business also called police and wanted the man moved along. Officers asked the man if he would like a ride to a homeless shelter. He politely declined. Police cleared without incident after the man left the area.

October 17, 8:55 a.m.: Officers responded to the Blaine High School for a student in possession of electronic cigarette. The liquid was found to not contain nicotine. The school will be handling administratively.

October 17, 12:35 p.m.: Person reported her daughter was walking home from school last week when she noticed a person walking in front of her wearing a ski mask and had what looked like a knife in his back pocket. Person said she advised her daughter needed to report something like that right away. Officer took a report for informational purposes.

Chief’s Note: I’m not sure if this is a kid preparing for Halloween, or a fan of the iconic John Carpenter movie (released in theaters last week). Whatever the case, our officers have been advised to conduct extra patrol in the area.

October 17, 2:10 p.m.: Person reported he dropped off his vehicle at a vehicle repair shop yesterday morning and then found out an hour ago his vehicle was stolen from the repair shop where he took it to yesterday.

October 17, 4:35 p.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to the Peace Arch Port of Entry after a man arrived there that had been reported missing. The man was traveling with family and appeared fine. He was removed from computer databases as a missing person. Police cleared without incident.

October 17, 10:23 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of a vehicle driving northbound in the southbound lanes of travel on Interstate 5. Blaine Police and Washington State Patrol intercepted the vehicle at about milepost 274 and attempted to stop it utilizing their vehicles emergency equipment. The vehicle sped past all emergency vehicles in a reckless manner. Officers pursued the vehicle to the US/Canadian border where it crashed out of control on the train tracks adjacent to US Customs. Officers were able to take the driver into custody where they were later booked into the Whatcom County Jail on numerous charges. The vehicle was impounded and officers cleared with no further incident.

Chief’s Note:  This dangerous incident was reported extensively in the Northern Light.  There were many ways this could have ended badly with injury to the suspect, innocent motorists, and first responders.  Fortunately, those deadly outcomes were thwarted by the professional response of Police Officers Jason Hentz and Tim Richardson. Their commendable heroics have been documented in their personnel records.

October 18, 12:14 a.m.: An officer responded to the Peace Arch point of entry for a driver with a suspended license. The Officer found the driver's license was suspended in the third degree. The driver was issued a criminal citation.

October 18, 1:55 p.m.: Officers responded to a commercial alarm. Officers contacted an employee who said the secretary forgot the code and the alarm had since been cleared.

October 18, 1:30 p.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to the Peace Arch border crossing where a man attempted to enter The United States with a controlled substance. The Russian man was denied entry to the United States and subjected to monetary penalties and visa revocation. No police actions taken.

October 18, 3:53 p.m.: An officer took a harassment report by phone. The reporting party wanted the incident documented.

October 18, 7:55 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to a physical domestic violence report in the 1100 block of E Street. Upon arrival officers found the suspect had left the area.  During investigation officers determined the incident was actually verbal in nature and no assault took place. Officers provided the complainant DV information and contacted the suspect via phone to advise them not to return.

October 19, 9:20 a.m.: A business called to complain about semi trailers blocking their mailbox. Officers drove through the area and only viewed a trailer parked close to the mailbox but still allowed access. The request to mark the mailbox was passed to supervisory staff.

October 19, 12:18 p.m.: Officers took a welfare check request for an elderly male who left and has dementia. Another call came in that the elderly male showed up at a business. His caretaker arrived and brought him back home. An Officer spoke with him and addressed the concerns.

October 19, 2:14 p.m.: Officers took a juvenile runaway report. The juvenile had left two days prior and not had contact with his parent. The juvenile was entered by Kulshan Dispatch as a runaway.

October 20, 2:45 a.m.: Officers encountered a transient male trespassing on BNSF railway property. The man was given a trespass warning and checked for wants and warrants. No wants or warrants were found, officers cleared.

October 20, 10:14:00 a.m.: Officers responded to a shoplift at Cost Cutter. The items were recovered and the suspect was issued a criminal citation and given a trespass warning.

October 20, 11:00 a.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to a report of a shoplifter at Cost Cutter. The suspect fled on foot after stealing some food items from the deli. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

October 20, 2:48 p.m.: An officer had an abandoned vehicle moved from the roadway. Another Officer had marked the vehicle for removal 13 days prior.

October 20, 4:02 p.m.: Officers responded to a possible shoplift. Officers determined there was no probable cause for a shoplift.

October 20, 6:17 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of a possibly intoxicated driver parked in front of a business. Officers arrived and determined the man was not under the influence of alcohol. No crime, officers cleared.

October 20, 6:48 p.m.: Officers responded to a mutual aid request from Washington State Patrol. State patrol was following a vehicle that was failing to yield. Officers responded and cleared when no further assistance was needed.

October 20, 10:08 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of physical domestic violence. Upon arrival no evidence of a crime was observed. All parties were cautioned to keep the peace.

October 21, 12:28 a.m.: A man called police reporting someone had poured acid on the hood of his car causing over $1,000 in damage. No suspect was readily known but police will continue to investigate.

October 21, 2:10 p.m.: Dispatch requested a welfare check on an elderly man whom accidentally called 911 and sounded confused. Police have spoken with the man and determined dementia may be setting in. Police cleared without incident.

October 21, 6:19 p.m.: Blaine police responded to the 300 block of 4th Street for a report of a physical domestic violence complaint regarding a husband pushing his wife while she was holding their one-year-old son. Officers arrived and investigated the incident.  A man was later arrest and booked into Whatcom County Jail by Bellingham Police Department, where he was later found, for three counts Assault-Domestic Violence and Interfering with reporting of domestic violence.

October 21, 6:00 p.m.: Officers responded to the 400 block of 9th street for a report of neighbors parked illegally for a church gathering. Officers arrived and found no vehicles illegally parked. Officers cleared with no further incident.

October 22, 10:00 a.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to a non-injury collision that occurred on private property. Both parties exchanged information and were given a case numbers. The damage to both vehicles was documented. Police cleared without incident.

October 22, 10:53 a.m.: A woman called police about her friend whom she believes is not doing well. Apparently the friend believes she is being followed by the police. An officer told the woman police are not following her friend. She then requested police go to the friend's house and tell her that. Police told the woman that would not be the best idea and may only make the situation worse.

October 22, 3:32 p.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to a cold malicious mischief report. A man found his parked vehicle had its windows broken. Nothing was stolen from inside the parked car. Police are investigating.

October 22, 9:32 p.m.: Officers responded to the 9700 block of Lincoln Lane for a report of a homeowner's front door being open and his American flag light illuminated. Officers contacted the homeowner who advised he was fine and the reasonable time to illuminate his American flag would be at night. Officers cleared with no further incident.

Chief’s Note: The following was pulled directly from the American Legion website: “The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The American Legion interprets “proper illumination” as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.

October 23, 12:27 a.m.: Officers responded to the alleyway in the 500 block of Cherry Street for a report of a structure fire. Officers arrived and found a burn pile had re-ignited and was again burning close to a large structure. Officers were able to extinguish the fire before it became out of control. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after and finished extinguishing the fire. Officers cleared with no further incident.

Chief’s Note: Children are encouraged to attend the Police Department’s Open House on November 7th, from 5-8 p.m. Souvenir badges and whistles will be given to all children in attendance. There will also be a raffle for toy cars and police (bicycle) sirens. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be served.