Kent Police arrested a 31-year-old Covington man for investigation of felony harassment after he reportedly stalked a 20-year-old Kent woman for the past few months.
Officers arrested the man at about 8 p.m. Sunday, June 11 in his car, according to a June 12 Kent Police statement. Officers stopped his Jeep, impounded it and requested a search warrant from a judge to search inside it.
A woman called 911 at about 7:30 p.m. June 6 to report that she was being followed by a man in a Jeep, according to police. She advised 911 that she was walking home and encountered the man in the 26100 block of 116th Avenue SE.
Officers arrived and found the woman blocks away as she had continued to walk to evade the man following her. Officers talked to the woman and learned the same man reportedly had been following her and trying to talk to her many times over the past few months.
Police said those incidents were not reported to law enforcement and that there is some indication the man reportedly made threats to dissuade the woman from reporting the altercations.
The woman told officers that on this day the man allegedly pulled alongside her, exited his vehicle and tried to get her to talk to him by grabbing her shoulder. She moved away and when he reentered his vehicle, he showed her what appeared to be a pistol.
The woman quickly left the area and the man drove away. Despite her fear, she was able to take a photo of his vehicle. The woman said she does not know the man, but he has spoken or attempted to speak with her several times.
Police used the vehicle information from the photo to locate the man five days later.
“We are very thankful that the victim had the bravery to snap a photo of the vehicle which was instrumental in finding the suspect,” according to police.
Kent Police Violent Crimes detectives are continuing to investigate and gather evidence.
Kent Police said they want to remind everyone that if you are a victim of a crime, but especially a violent crime, please call 911 and ask for help.
“It is not uncommon for suspects to threaten victims to keep them quiet,” according to police. “There are resources for you regardless of your situation. Please call 911 for help.”
Police also noted that if you do not speak English, you can call 911 and state your language to the call receiver and 911 communication specialists will be able to get an interpreter online.
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