Vancouver, Wash. – On October 10, 2021, at approximately 4:00 a.m. Vancouver Police responded to an investigation into a kidnapping. The victim had been at a convenience store when a male, who is the respondent in a No Contact Order with the female victim, showed up at the store, assaulted and forcibly abducted the female, put her in his vehicle and fled the area. Officers responded to the victim’s apartment and heard yelling and a baby crying from inside. The victim texted her relative that she was in the apartment bleeding. The victim exited the apartment and was suffering from a head injury. The suspect remained inside the apartment and as officers entered, the suspect was holding the victim’s (and his) 2-month-old baby in his hands threatening to kill the baby with a hammer he was holding.  Police began dialogue with the suspect, who dropped the hammer but continued to say he was going to kill the baby by throwing it off the second story balcony. The suspect began to squeeze the baby and a crisis entry hostage rescue involving multiple officers was deployed in an effort to prevent the suspect from killing the baby. A Taser deployment was unsuccessful on the suspect, and he continued to squeeze the baby. Multiple officers then grabbed the suspect’s arms, and one officer punched the suspect in the face to get him to release his grip on the baby, who was now limp. The suspect slightly released his grip, and the officers were able to pry the baby from his hands, saving the baby’s life. The suspect was taken into custody and the female victim and the baby were transported to area hospitals for evaluation. The baby is currently still hospitalized.  

Aarondeep S. Johal, 32 years of age was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail for: Assault IV DV, Felony NCO violation, Malicious Mischief III, Kidnap I DV, DWS III, Residential Burglary DV, Kidnap I DV (of 2-month-old – hostage), Attempted Murder I DV (of baby), Resisting Arrest, Assault III.

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Vancouver Police update on indecent exposure incident (Photo) – 10/07/21

Vancouver, Wash. – On September 23, 2021 a 16-year-old female was walking home from school in the area of N. Devine Rd./NE 18^th Street when a male in vehicle drove past her and parked in front of her. As she walked past the driver’s side of the vehicle, the driver called out to her and asked if her she could help him and as she got closer to the vehicle the male was exposing himself. The victim walked away, and the suspect drove off. The victim reported the incident to school staff on September 24, 2021and the school sent out a safety bulletin to parents warning them of the incident. Police were not contacted. 

On September 28, 2021 the Vancouver Police Department received numerous tips regarding this incident, presumably based on the bulletin from the school, which was also covered by local media. A Vancouver Police Detective was able to positively identify the owner of the vehicle, which matched the description provided by the victim from the statement she provided the school. On September 30, 2021, Vancouver Police located the suspect vehicle parked in an apartment complex parking lot. On October 5, 2021, Vancouver Police made contact with the victim and her family and they decided to make a police report. On October 6, 2021, Vancouver Police met with the victim again for purposes of a doing a photo laydown, in an attempt to positively identify the suspect from his photo. The victim identified Nohea O. Greenbaum as the suspect who exposed himself to her on September 23. 

On October 7, 2021, Vancouver Police were notified that Nohea O. Greenbaum, 26 years old, had been arrested by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for Indecent Exposure incident in their jurisdiction. He was booked into the Clark County Jail for Indecent Exposure and multiple warrants; more charges are pending. 

Anyone with information on additional incidents related to this individual, who did not make a police report, should contact the law enforcement agency where the incident occurred and make a report. A photo of Greenbaum is attached.  

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Missing Endangered Adult (Photo) – 10/03/21

The Vancouver Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 72-year-old male. William H. DAVIS DOB: 04/10/1949 advised he was moving to Arkansas and left Vancouver, Washington on 09-29-21. William is driving his maroon Dodge Ram (Oregon license # 794LXC) and pulling a 14’ utility trailer. 

William was last contacted in Douglas, Wyoming by local law enforcement at a Motel.  William was contacted because he parked his vehicle and trailer in the middle of the road. William told law enforcement he was having a diabetic issue and that is why the vehicle was parked in the road. William checked out of the motel the next morning.   

William was supposed to arrive in Arkansas on 10-03-21 but has not arrived. Family advised his phone is off and have not heard from him.    

William is a diabetic and is in the early stages of dementia. If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of William, please call 911.

Case number 2021-20873

Vancouver, Wash. – In early 2019 the Vancouver Police Department began the process of researching and analyzing a department camera program and identified several phases and tasks related to implementation of this program.  

The Vancouver Police Department continues to make progress on implementing the comprehensive camera program that will feature both body-worn cameras and in-car cameras. The City of Vancouver has budgeted $3 million for FY 21/22 and is slated to receive $1.5 million in federal funding during 2022 secured by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler to support the program.

In April 2021, the City of Vancouver procurement process began. This process included participation from two community members who reviewed vendor proposals that were submitted. Several vendors were selected to move forward to the second phase of the selection process, which occurred during the week of August 23, 2021. These vendors then provided in-person, half-day demonstrations of their products to police department and City personnel. The procurement process is continuing, and the department will begin testing equipment as part of a pilot program which begins in early November 2021. During the 60-day pilot program, ten officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras, which they will wear during their normal work shifts. Up to six vehicles will also be outfitted with a dash and rear-passenger compartment camera.

Over twenty officers volunteered to sign up for the pilot program. Ten will be selected based on the ability for the department to test during both day and night hours and to outfit officers working various assignments including patrol and traffic. 

In preparation for the full implementation of the program, work has begun to prepare the City of Vancouver Information Technology department and the Vancouver Police Department Records personnel for the new and additional work associated with the camera program. Coordination with Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) is also being done prior to the full implementation. 

The camera program webpage and the Be Heard Vancouver pages have additional information on this program. 

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Vancouver Police Department Searching for Missing 12 Year Old Female (Photo) – 09/25/21

***UPDATE 9/25/2021***

The child was located safe and has returned to her parents.

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VPD case 2021-20181. The Vancouver Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Azura C. Campillo, DOB 07/24/2009. She is described as a Hispanic female, standing about 5’0 tall and weighing about 110lbs. She was last seen on 09/24/2021 at about 10:00 pm when she left her home at 14902 SE 1st St in the City of Vancouver. She was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and navy shorts. Her family is concerned for her well-being due to deteriorating mental health. Anyone with information about Campillo’s whereabouts is requested to call the Vancouver Police Department, with our thanks. 

Vancouver, Wash. –In July 2021, the Vancouver Police Department was one of fourteen Washington law enforcement agencies who will be receiving grants to expand mental health field response capabilities. The grant funds were awarded by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) as a part of an existing program approved and funded by the Washington Legislature along with additional funding provided by the Washington Health Care Authority. 

As part of this 2021 partnership grant, $632,986.40 in grant funding will be made available to Sea Mar to hire three new mental health responders, in addition to the three full-time positions which were established with this grant program in 2020. The grant will also provide $4,000 for training in crisis intervention and best practices enhance program success. Vancouver Police will partner with Sea Mar to provide proactive outreach and build positive relationships to vulnerable individuals and communities with resources, treatment, and services. This year, the Vancouver Police Department will also coordinate with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Police Department and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Police Department to extend mental health field response services to assist these officers and the Vancouver-based communities they serve.

When safe and appropriate, police officers in the participating agencies will call out Sea Mar mental health professionals to respond to their locations in the field to provide a clinical evaluation and transfer responsibility for treatment and follow up care. The intent of the Enhanced Mobile Crisis Response Team is to provide citizens experiencing a mental health crisis with the opportunity to receive care where they are. It is also designed to divert some citizens from incarceration who have committed low level crimes while suffering a mental health crisis. 

“I am excited that we are able to further expand access mental health field response in Vancouver,” said Vancouver Police Chief James McElvain. “With police being called to assist people in crisis more often, these mental health field responders provide the most appropriate resource to someone in crisis and allow police officers the ability to focus more on policing matters where they are most needed.” 

“We are grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with WASPC and the City of Vancouver to expand our mental health mobile crisis field response program. This grant will allow us to increase field team staffing to assist law enforcement officers with emergency calls and provide early intervention to improve health and safety for individuals in crisis. This program has a positive impact for many of our most vulnerable community members, and we are glad we can continue to grow so we can help more people in the upcoming year,” said Laura Nichols, Program Manager for Sea Mar in Vancouver, Washington.

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Vancouver, Wash. –On September 22, 2021, at approximately 12:19 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to the 1300 block of SE Columbia River Driver for the report that a male had grabbed a purse from a chair outside a coffee shop where the victim was sitting, got into a vehicle and left the area.  The suspect description and crime matched that of several previous purse thefts in the west Vancouver area over the last few weeks. Two Vancouver Police Department Bike Team officers responded to the area quickly and started checking locations where the suspects might look for other victims. They located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle at E Mill Plain Blvd./C Street and a traffic stop was conducted. The vehicle was occupied by four 14-year-old juveniles (three males and one female). 

Based on the investigation and witness statements, two of the males were booked into the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center for Theft II and Taking a Motor Vehicle W/O Permission and Robbery II for an incident from September 16, 2021where a purse was taken from a table at the same coffee shop as yesterday’s incident. Charges are being referred on the other two juveniles. 

The investigation is continuing, and additional charges are pending. 

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Vancouver, Wash. –On September 8, 2021 Vancouver Police responded to a call for service at a local grocery store regarding a customer the store manager wanted trespassed for violating store policy.

Several news outlets, including some national outlets, have reported inaccurate information related to this incident. Information is circulating and spreading on both social and traditional media that citations were issued by Vancouver Police related to the statewide mask mandate. This is incorrect. No citations were issued by the Vancouver Police Department related to the mask mandate. In fact, no citations were issued at all during this call for service and no one was arrested. Officers were called to remove an unwanted individual from the business and ultimately when the individual refused to leave a trespass warning notice was issued to that individual. 

Below is a synopsis of the incident from police reports for case number 2021-018912:

On September 8, 2021 at approximately 1459 Vancouver Police were dispatched to 13215 SE Mill Plain Blvd.  regarding an unwanted person. Dispatch notes indicated the unwanted person was asked to leave several times (as she was not wearing a mask, as required by the store) and she refused to do so. The responding officer made contact with the store manager who advised he would like the customer to leave the store. The officer made contact with the customer, who again refused to leave and stated she just wanted to pay for her items. The officer asked the manager if he was willing to accept payment from the customer for her items and the manager stated the store did not want her business and wanted her to leave.  

The officer issued the customer, who refused to identify herself, a trespass warning notice, based on her refusal to leave and at the request of store management. The warning notice was provided to the customer and police left. A short time later, dispatch received another call that a group was still in the store being disruptive, filming and causing a disturbance. Store personnel asked that the group be trespassed and removed from the store. When officers arrived the second time, the store manager made the decision to clear the store of all customers and close temporarily. Vancouver Police assisted store personnel with directing customers out of the store and off store property. There were no citations written or arrests during either of the calls for service to this location. 

National news media also inaccurately reported that Vancouver Washington has one of the worst crime rates in the nation. We are not aware of any credible supporting data for the media to make this assertion. 

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Vancouver, Wash. – On August 21, 2021 at approximately 6:13 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to the area of 2715 NE 138th Ave for a report of a shooting. When officers arrived they located Armando Prado Valencia, 34, deceased. 

On September 15, 202, Luis Fernando Perez Mejia was arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail for Murder II, Drive By Shooting, 2 counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Stolen Firearm.  The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated.  The Vancouver Police Department Major Crimes Unit was assisted in the arrest by the Safe Streets Task Force, USMS-Fugitive Apprehension Team, Vancouver Police Neighborhood Response Team, Vancouver Police Patrol and the Clark Regional SWAT Team.

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

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