A little after 5:00 PM on Monday, Nov. 9, 911 lines began to ring with reports of two men fighting in the median of Highway 20 at Christianson Rd.
Investigation showed that a motorcyclist had been driving west on Highway 20 and had been lane-splitting, which angered the driver of a BMW sedan. The driver of the sedan caught up to the motorcyclist and the two men began to argue at the next stoplight. They drove a little further and the driver of the BMW pulled in to the turn lane at Christiansen Road, followed by the motorcyclist. The two men then engaged in mutual fighting with one another. During the course of the fight the driver of the BMW retrieved a hammer from his car and tried to swing it, accidently striking his own window and shattering it. The fight was broken up by passers-by just prior to the police arriving. The BMW driver was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained during the exchange. Information was gathered from several witnesses and charges are pending.
Here are some other cases Anacortes Police worked on this week.
Saturday, November 7
Just after 1:00 AM officers responded to a single-vehicle accident on eastbound Highway 20 Spur where a Blue Honda Accord had left the roadway and ended up in the ditch. The 43-year-old Burlington woman driving the car was uninjured. Officers noted that her movements and speech were consistent with someone who was intoxicated, and she admitted that she had been drinking beer prior to getting in the car. After doing poorly on roadside sobriety checks the woman was taken in to custody and processed for DUI. Her car was towed from the ditch and impounded. Later, at the office, she was issued a citation for a future court date and released to a sober friend.
Just before 10:00 AM officers were asked to respond to a restaurant on Commercial Avenue reference a trespassing problem. The manager had called 911 to report that he had asked a disruptive subject who had been loitering at the restaurant to leave, but he was refusing to depart the premises. When officers arrived they contacted the suspect, a 22-year-old Anacortes man. A records check revealed that the man had a felony warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear at court regarding a prior case in which he was charged with criminal trespass and drug crimes. The man was taken in to custody and transported to the Skagit County Jail.
Sunday, November 8
At about 8:30 AM Employees at a downtown business called police after discovering tool marks consistent with an attempted burglary on an exterior door of their office. No entry was gained, but the door was damaged. The business has a security camera system and the police department is working with the owners of the business to review the footage for images of the suspect(s).
At 10:45 AM an alert officer spotted a subject wanted for failing to appear in court on a felony court order violation. He stopped and arrested the 34-year-old Anacortes man on K Ave, based upon the felony warrant for his arrest. The suspect was transported to the Skagit County Jail and booked.
Monday, November 9
At 11:15 PM officers went to a prowler complaint at a residence on 29th Street where the resident reported hearing suspicious sounds on her front porch. Investigating officers located and scared off a raccoon under the home.
Tuesday, November 10
At 1:45 AM a man called and requested that the police remove a woman from his home on 20th Street. Officers spoke with the intoxicated man, who told officers that he was having problems with a woman who had been staying with him for a while and he wanted her to leave. He subsequently decided that if the officers could talk to the woman and keep things calmed down, then he would be OK with that arrangement. Officers spoke with the woman, who asserted that the man was the one causing the problems. They each agreed to keep things peaceful for the rest of the night. No crime had occurred and the officers returned to other duties.
Wednesday, November 11
At 1:00 AM officers noted a residence on West 5th Street where there appeared to be a juvenile party going on with possible under-aged drinking. Officers discovered approximately a dozen juveniles at the home. There was evidence of illegal alcohol and marijuana use and it was discovered that there were no adults present at the residence. The party was broken up and the homeowner was contacted and advised of what was happening. The parents or guardians of each of the juveniles were contacted and arrangements made for them to be picked up by or dropped off to a responsible adult. Appropriate charges have been filed through juvenile court.
Thursday, November 12
At 12:50 AM the Sheriff’s office request that Anacortes Officers respond to the San Juan Hill neighborhood, just outside the city limits, to assist with an in-progress burglary call. There were no deputies in the area. Anacortes officers responded and located the suspect, taking her in to custody in the driveway of the residence in question. They detained the 30-year-old Anacortes woman until Sheriff’s Deputies arrived and took over the investigation. The woman was subsequently booked in to the county jail for Residential Burglary.