Police Department

SPD Arrests Cell Phone Thief with 2-Foot Sword

Ofc, Teresa Fuller, 509.209.7188

Tuesday, April 22, 2014 at 11:02 a.m.

A patrol officer conducting Hot Spot patrols near downtown quickly apprehends a cell phone thief. The suspect, 24-year-old Jacob K. McGill was arrested with the stolen cell phone and a 2-foot-long sword.

On 04-22-2014, Ofc. Ron Van Tassel was conducting a Hot Spot emphasis patrol in the area of Sprague and Wall. He observed a male, later identified as 24-year-old Jacob K. McGill, run the red light on Wall at Sprague on his bicycle. Right behind McGill was the victim of a cell phone theft. The victim quickly told Ofc. Van Tassel he was trying to be nice and allowed McGill to use his cell phone, but then McGill took off with it. Ofc. Van Tassel was able to find McGill, who tried in vain to tell Ofc. Van Tassel it was simply a misunderstanding. McGill also had a large sword, over 2 feet long, bungee-corded to his bicycle.

Ofc. Van Tassel returned the cell phone to its rightful owner and booked McGill into jail for misdemeanor City Theft and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.

Hot Spot emphasis patrols are conducted on a daily basis. The Crime Analysis Unit pulls data from police reports and uses this data to identify areas where police patrols will have a proactive impact on crime. It's important for citizens to report crimes and suspicious activity to police so we can more efficiently direct our patrol officers. If a crime or suspicious activity is occurring call 911; if it has already occurred, please call Crime Check at 509.456.2233.

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