Routine case was like ‘CSI’

Police work is rarely like the movies or “CSI,” but occasionally it is. This week I wanted to share a great example of teamwork, technology and plain old hard work that resulted in a positive outcome for a Kent resident.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Tuesday, March 10, 2009 2:24pm
  • Opinion

Police work is rarely like the movies or “CSI,” but occasionally it is. This week I wanted to share a great example of teamwork, technology and plain old hard work that resulted in a positive outcome for a Kent resident.

First, though, here is a good one: our municipal jail goes through a lot of books, and sometimes we get piles of donated paperbacks to stock and re-stock the jail library shelves. Needless to say, we discourage certain types of literature that may be inappropriate — anything overly graphic, violent or otherwise inappropriate to someone incarcerated. So last week it was profoundly ironic when corrections officer Harvey and I were carrying a couple grocery bags full of paperbacks into the entry area of the jail and one single book fell out: “An Innocent Man.” For the same reason we don’t show “The Shawshank Redemption” on the jail TVs, we chose to set that book aside.

So, back to a case we had that shows how hard work, caring and technology can come together. Last summer, a resident’s home was burglarized. A suspect had entered through an unlocked sliding door, taking a cell phone and a box of checks. Officers Kluzak and Hollis responded, took a report, and didn’t find any fingerprints. End of story, right?

After the officers left, the homeowner found what appeared to be two pieces of fingernails in the carpet. The officers were called back to the scene to take the evidence. The homeowner was also notified that one of the stolen checks had been used at a local grocery store.

Officers obtained the store video and also took it into evidence. The video showed a white female with a ponytail issuing the stolen check at the counter. The plot thickens when Det. Bob Kaufmann gets the case. He called the homeowner, who by now is also getting a list of phone numbers being called on her stolen cell phone.

Kaufmann started calling the numbers provided by the cell-phone company, and found one with a voicemail that mentioned the name “Doris.” The detective had an open burglary case involving a suspect named … Doris.

He obtained the photo of the suspect from the previous burglary, and it matched the video from the grocery store.

Kaufmann, through more legwork, determined that the suspect had DNA on file in the state of Oregon. He submitted the fingernail found in the carpet in the Kent burglary for a comparison to that DNA. The Washington State Crime Lab, which is backed up on cases due to high volume, took six months but does come back with a match on the DNA. Oregon DNA sample, to Kent burglary fingernail in the carpet, 100 percent match.

Kaufmann found out that the suspect was released from the Clackamas County Jail just days before the DNA match came back.

With multiple agencies actively looking for the suspect, her arrest is just a matter of time.

This case could have been considered just a garden-variety burglary, with no evidence and no information to go on, and would result in a closed and unsolved case in many places. However, diligent work and follow up by the homeowner, responding officers and detectives, and the state laboratory came together to bring a different outcome. Once this suspect is arrested and jailed, we will not provide her with a copy of “An Innocent Man.”

Steve Strachan is Kent’s chief of police. Contact him at sstrachan@ci.kent.wa.us, or at 253-856-5800.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Opinion

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Is the Northwest ready for our ‘Big One?’ | Brunell

When President Biden warned FEMA does not have enough money to finish… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
Combing through this current follicle challenge | Whale’s Tales

I feared the day when passersby on the streets would start in with, “Hey, get a look at Uncle Fester there!” or “What’s cookin’, Kojak?!”

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He is a former president of the Association of Washington Business, the state’s oldest and largest business organization, and lives in Vancouver. Contact thebrunells@msn.com.
Thoughts on Memorial Day and the ultimate sacrifice | Brunell

On Memorial Day, we traditionally honor Americans in our military who gave… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
In search of fairness, morals and good sportsmanship | Whale’s Tales

Ah, the Golden Rule. We all know it: do unto others as… Continue reading

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
If you’re right, and you know it, then read this | Whale’s Tales

As the poet Theodore Roethke once wrote: “In a dark time the eye begins to see…”

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@auburn-reporter.com.
The key thing is what we do with our imperfections | Whale’s Tales

I have said and done many things of which I am not proud. That is, I am no golden bird cheeping about human frailties from some high branch of superhuman understanding.

Robert Whale can be reached at robert.whale@soundpublishing.com.
Grappling with the finality of an oncologist’s statement | Whale’s Tales

Perhaps my brain injected a bit of humor to cover the shock. But I felt the gut punch.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Legislature back in session next week | Cartoon

State lawmakers return Jan. 8 to Olympia.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Santa doesn’t drive a Kia | Cartoon

Cartoon by Frank Shiers.

Cartoon by Frank Shiers
Salute to veterans | Cartoon by Frank Shiers

On Veterans Day, honor those who served your country.

File photo
Why you should vote in the upcoming election | Guest column

When I ask my students when the next election is, frequently they will say “November 2024” or whichever presidential year is coming up next.