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On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the area of SE Clark Ave/ E. Main Street for a report of three masked subjects attempting to enter cars. Battle Ground officers quickly located and detained two juvenile male suspects (17-years-old).
While conducting their search for the third individual in the suspected auto prowl incident, law enforcement officers were contacted by an unrelated victim reporting that he had been approached in his car by three subjects at the intersection of SE Clark Ave/ SE 1st Street. The victim advised that one of the suspects, armed with a gun, ordered the victim out of his car. The victim fled the scene, without injury, and reported having heard a single gunshot as he drove away.
The detained suspects were then placed under arrest under suspicion of their involvement in the attempted carjacking. A search of the suspects revealed a handgun magazine containing ammunition consistent with a spent cartridge. Both juvenile suspects have been booked on charges of Robbery and Assault.
The Battle Ground K9 unit initiated a track, with assistance from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Vancouver and Washougal Police Departments, to locate the third suspect who remains outstanding. The suspect is described as a male (unknown race), approximately 5’7” tall, last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and white pants.
“I would like to commend our officers, and those from our partner agencies, for their quick action which resulted in two arrests in this case.” said Chief Mike Fort. “Our Detectives will continue to work diligently to investigate the case, and to locate the third suspect believed to be involved in this incident.”
Chief Fort also credits the community members who reported seeing the suspicious activity that initiated the officers’ response in this case. “We are grateful to those community members who saw something suspicious and reported it right away, giving officers the advantage of time.”
The investigation into this case is still ongoing; if anyone has any information, please contact Detective Sergeant Rick Kelly at 360-342-5200 or via email at rick.kelly@cityofbg.org.