Vancouver, Wash. –On August 13, 2021, the body of Stephanie Celeste Jones was located at Rooster Rock State Park in Oregon, the cause of her death was ruled a homicide. Detectives from the Oregon State Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office were initially the primary investigators in the homicide. On August 30, 2021, Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Safe Streets Task Force and Major Crimes Unit were contacted to assist in the investigation as it was determined that the murder of Ms. Jones occurred in Vancouver. 

During the investigation, search warrants were executed on two residences in Vancouver, one which Ms. Jones shared with her boyfriend, Avreaunte E. Bennett. 

On January 27, 2022, Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Unit assisted Detectives from the Oregon State Police and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant at a residence in Fairview, Oregon. Mr. Bennett was at that residence when police arrived and was taken into custody without incident on unrelated charges. 

Avreaunte E. Bennett, 24 years of age, was booked into the Clackamas County Jail and is awaiting extradition to Clark County for charges related to the murder of Stephanie Jones. Vancouver Police have probable cause for Mr. Bennett for Murder II, Domestic Violence and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm I. 

Nothing further is releasable at this time.  

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Vancouver Police warn of dangerous Tik Tok Challenge (Photo) – 01/27/22

The Vancouver Police Department is investigating at least seven very concerning incidents linked to a popular challenge being perpetuated on the media sharing app “TikTok”.  

Called the “Door Kick Challenge”, app users are encouraged to upload video snippets of themselves kicking in doors of unsuspecting persons.  In less than one hour on January 26th, VPD officers responded to at least seven of these reports, all between 6:00-6:47 PM and mostly in the Hearthwood Neighborhood in East Vancouver.  

In most cases, teenaged males kicked in the door of unsuspecting homeowners, then fled the scene.  An older dark colored 4 door sedan with chrome spoke wheels was captured on a neighbors surveillance video at one of the locations. 

The Vancouver Police Department is alerting the community to this recent challenge and encourages parents to warn their children of the obvious dangers associated with this type of crime.

VPD’s Special Investigations Unit is seeking information from anyone who may have knowledge of those responsible or other persons with information. Those who have information may contact Detective Eddie Alba at 360-487-7395. Callers who wish to remain anonymous may do so.  

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Vancouver Police investigate hit and run collisions caused by impaired driver (Update: ID of Suspect) (Photo) – 01/26/22

*** Update ***

On January 26, 2022, the suspect in this incident, Rodney Jarvela, 51 years of age, was booked into the Clark County Jail for Assault  II, DUI, Reckless Driving and Hit & Run.

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Vancouver, Wash. –On January 24, 2022, at approximately 10:20 a.m. several callers to 9-1-1 reported a dark green truck driving erratically in the Cascade Park area of Vancouver. Callers reported the vehicle going through the Chkalov area Fred Meyer parking lot and through the surrounding neighborhoods at excessive speeds. At times the driver was driving in the wrong lane and drove toward pedestrians who narrowly escaped being hit. The truck continued driving at excessive speeds, hit a parked vehicle and city light pole before crossing the lane of travel and striking a retaining wall in the 14100 block of SE McGillivray Blvd. The driver continued through the retaining wall into the next house, colliding with a parked vehicle, moving it out of the driveway. The truck hit the garage door, causing the residence significant damage. The truck finally came to rest as it struck a residence on SE McGillivray, taking out the corner section of the garage. 

The driver managed to crawl out of the passenger side window and briefly hide under the truck before being taken into custody by police. He was transported to an area hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Impairment and speed were factors. There were no reported injuries to members of the public related to this incident. 

The driver will be booked into the Clark County Jail, upon release from the hospital, for DUI and multiple charges of Hit and Run. The suspect’s identity will not be released until after he is booked into jail. 

The Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation. Anyone who was the victim of hit and run or property damage related to this incident, and who has not spoken to police yet, should call 3-1-1 to make a report. 

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Law enforcement and family are looking for 37-year-old Zachary Childers who has not been seen since 2:00 pm on Friday, January 21st, 2022.

Childers was last seen by a family member at the Vancouver Clinic 700 NE 87th Ave, Vancouver WA. He is autistic and forgets his name, where he lives, and becomes agitated when tired and hungry. He also has mental health issues and takes medication for medical issues.

He was last seen wearing a tan jacket, jeans, and white sneakers with red and blue trim. Childers is carrying a wallet with his ID and address inside. He is 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighs approximately 225 pounds. He is balding with short brown hair and brown eyes. If you see him please call 911. VPD Case #2022-01866.

*****UPDATE*****

With the remarkable assistance of the Vancouver Police Departments Neighbors on Watch (NOW) volunteers, Zachary Childers was located safely. 

Vancouver, Wash. –On August 19, 2021, Vancouver Police responded to a death investigation call at a residence in the 1400 block of NE 140th Avenue after a family member discovered the victim deceased. The initial investigation at the scene provided several details regarding the circumstances of the case and indicated the 31-year-old male had died of a possible drug overdose.

Detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Neighborhood Response Team began further investigation and the Clark County Medical Examiner’s report confirmed Fentanyl and Methamphetamine as the primary causes of death.

The investigation led to the identification of Travis R. Timme, 32 years of age, as the individual who had provided the victim drugs that led to his death. 

On January 19, 2022, Detectives with the Safe Streets Task Force and Neighborhood Response Team conducted a traffic stop on Timme, who was taken into custody without incident. Timme was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail on multiple charges including Controlled Substance Homicide and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver. 

The investigation is continuing and nothing further is being released at this time. 

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Vancouver, Wash. – On December 8, 2021, Vancouver Police began the testing and evaluation (T&E) process with a camera vendor to evaluate their platform for body and in-car cameras.  Ten officers were equipped with body cameras and six vehicles were equipped with a dash and rear passenger area camera. The department initially allotted 60 days for the T&E with the vendor. 

On December 29, 2021, the Project Manager, in cooperation with the testing committee, determined that the group had collected sufficient data to evaluate this vendor. The Request For Proposal (RFP) committee, which includes two community representatives, met to review the T&E report and the decision was made to conclude the T&E for this vendor and issue a new request for proposal (RFP), which will include modified requirements based on the information learned from the recent T&E process. All equipment was disconnected and packaged for return to the vendor on December 29, 2021. 

On January 9, 2022, four Vancouver Police Officers were in an officer involved shooting. None of the involved officers had been part of the camera T&E testing group and none of their vehicles had been outfitted with cameras. 

“We recognize that proposal and testing processes take time, but these are vitally important steps to help the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Police Department identify and implement the right camera platform with the necessary features, functionalities and support to meet the needs and expectations of the department and community,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain.  “Although we are eager to get a system in place as soon as possible, we need to ensure that we are making the right choice and not just the fast choice.”

For more information on the Vancouver Police Department camera project visit: Vancouver Police Camera Study | City of Vancouver, Washington, USA

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Vancouver, Wash. – On January 9, 2022 at approximately 12:25 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to a call of a disturbance with a weapon at a residence in the 13200 block of NE 59^th Street. The resident reported there was a male acquaintance inside the home who was armed with knives. The caller and several other individuals, including two children, had locked themselves inside their bedrooms and called 9-1-1. It was believed the suspect had started a fire inside the home.  When police arrived, the individuals inside the home were able to safely escape through windows. Police did smell something burning. The suspect was outside the home and confronted officers with a knife. Officers attempted to deescalate the situation by deploying a Less Lethal 40 mm device, but unfortunately the officers had to deploy their firearms to stop the suspect from harming anyone.  The suspect was transported to an area hospital but did not survive. 

Four Vancouver Police officers were involved, including one officer who deployed the Less Lethal device. All four involved officers have been placed on Critical Incident Leave per standard protocol. 

The SW Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIR), led by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, is investigating the officer involved shooting. All further information related to this incident will be sent via the SWIIR. 

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Vancouver Police Department investigating a string of armed robberies (Photo) – 01/06/22

On 01-06-2022 at approximately 8:35 AM multiple Vancouver Police patrol units were dispatched to radio call of “Robbery Just Occurred” in the vicinity of “Grand Central” Fred Meyer department store, 2500 Columbia House Blvd.

Further investigation revealed that a customer was robbed at gunpoint by an unknown suspect in the front parking lot of the store.

The suspect pulled up to the victim, displayed a handgun, and demanded the victim’s purse.  Once the suspect took possession of the victim’s purse, he fled the location in his vehicle.

The suspect’s vehicle was a red Sports Utility Vehicle, possibly a Honda “Pilot” with no license plates displayed.

The suspect was described as an adult male in his 30s or 40s, wearing a yellow jacket and a red mask on his face.

The victim was not injured in this incident.

This robbery appears to be related to other similar incidents that had occurred in Vancouver earlier this morning (both in the city and within jurisdiction of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office).

Citizens with any information related to these incidents are urged to call “911” and ask to be transferred to the Clark County (WA) police dispatch center.  

The suspect appeared to be armed with a firearm, so extreme caution should be used if the vehicle and / or suspect are spotted in the area.