Treasure Valley Crime and Community

05/06/2024

Please join us during National Police Week for the Idaho Peace Officers’ Memorial Candlelight Vigil and the annual Memorial Ceremony.
▪️Candlelight Vigil, Wednesday, May 15, 9 p.m.
▪️Memorial Ceremony, Thursday, May 16, 10 a.m.
Both events are at the memorial, 700 S. Stratford in Meridian.
Please come to remember and honor Idaho’s fallen officers.
We will never forget.

Stay after both services for fellowship and camaraderie.
Cookies, cocoa and coffee will be provided after the vigil and lunch will be served on the front steps of ISP Headquarters, directly across from the memorial, after the Thursday ceremony.

Blessed are the Peacemakers….

04/21/2024

Our thoughts are with the family of Deputy Tobin Bolter, the Ada County Sheriff’s Office and the entire law enforcement community for this incredibly tragic loss.

Deputy Bolter was a 7 year veteran, he has been with Ada County Sheriff’s Office since January, previously with Meridian PD.

This is the first Ada County Deputy killed in the line of duty.

12/10/2023

10/24/2023

Our thoughts are with the family of Officer Nicholas McDaniel, the Post Falls community and the Post Falls Police Department.
————————————-
Press Release
Post Falls Police Department
Chief Greg McLean

Yesterday at 4:40 pm, after completing a call for service, Officer Nicholas McDaniel failed to respond to a status check from our Communications Center. Officers were dispatched to Officer McDaniel’s last known location, where they found him slumped over the wheel of his police vehicle. The officers on scene immediately started CPR until Kootenai County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and transported Officer McDaniel to Kootenai Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has been determined to be a massive heart attack.
Officer McDaniel was 36 years old and had worked for Police Falls Police Department for a little under a year, with 13 years served previously in Hawaii.
Post Falls Police Chief Greg McLean went on to say, “I would like to thank all the surrounding law enforcement, fire and medical agencies, as well as our local community, for their unwavering support while our department mourns the loss of a family member. Please keep Officer McDaniel’s fiancé and children in your thoughts and prayers as they try to cope with the loss of their loved one.”

10/22/2023

Randell Waller was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with use of a deadly weapon after a shooting last night in Kuna. He is currently in the Ada County Jail.

Info from Kuna Police Department:

Kuna Police are investigating a report of a shooting outside a home in the Deer Flat Road/School Avenue neighborhood Saturday night.

Paramedics transported an adult male to a local hospital for treatment. The suspect in the shooting is in custody. There is no ongoing threat to the public in connection with the incident.

Officers were called to a home on the 700 block of White Fang Street at 8:53 p.m.

Initial information indicates two men got into an argument at a party outside the home that turned into a physical fight. It was during that fight one man shot the other man.

Officers arrived, found the man visibly injured, and did first aid on him before paramedics arrived.

The street was blocked off for a while as officers interviewed people at the home and collected evidence.

The case is still under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.

10/22/2023

The Meridian Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) involved in a shooting or any potential witnesses who were at the scene.

On October 20, 2023 at approximately 11:30pm, Meridian Officers were dispatched to a reported shooting in the 600 Block of E Gannett Drive in Meridian. Initial information provided to Meridian Officers was that multiple people had been shot inside the residence. Officers from the Meridian Police Department, with the assistance of the Idaho State Police, arrived and secured the location. Officers located a single gunshot victim inside the home and were unable to locate any other gunshot victims inside the residence. Ada County Paramedics treated the victim and transported them to a local hospital. It was later determined there was a second victim who had been transported by a family member to a local hospital for treatment. Both victims were treated and released from the hospital.

It appeared there had been a gathering of people at the residence and many attendees left after the shooting started and before police arrived. The Meridian Police Department believes there was an altercation between some of the attendees that resulted in shots being fired. The police department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the suspect(s) involved in the shooting or any potential witnesses that were at the residence but left before officers arrived.

The Meridian Police Department believes this is an isolated incident with no further risk to the public and that there are no outstanding victims from this incident.

If you have any information please contact the non-emergency dispatch, 208-377-6790. You can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 208-343-COPS (2677), www.343COPS.com, or leave a tip using the "P3 Tips" app for your mobile device.

The Meridian Police Department would like to thank Idaho State Police, media and the public for their assistance in this investigation.

09/26/2023

PSA From Caldwell Police shows real time dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl:

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous. Talk to your loved ones today about the dangers of fentanyl. Please be advised that this video may be disturbing for some.
http://www.fentanyltakesall.org/

This video shows in real-time the dangers of illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is distributed through illegal drug markets for...

08/25/2023

Follow up on a post shared here regarding Jeremy Waste. Waste plead guilty and was sentenced to charges of assault or battery upon certain personnel and to the enhancement for using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, and Aggravated Battery:

The Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney determined that the actions of the Boise Police officer who shot and injured Jeremy Waste on November 21, 2022, were justified under Idaho law.

“We appreciate the comprehensive investigation and thorough review of the incident by the Ada County Critical Incident Task Force (CITF) led by the Meridian Police Department and the Twin Falls County Prosecutor, and we are grateful the officers involved were able to return home to their families that day,” said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar.

Police began looking for Jeremy Waste on November 18, 2022, after evidence showed he stabbed a family member multiple times before fleeing the scene. The family member survived, and the investigation was ongoing to locate Waste.

On November 21, 2022, officers obtained a warrant for Waste’s arrest on charges of aggravated battery. Around 4:45 pm on November 21, 2022, officers received information that Waste was on Red Cedar Lane and multiple officers responded to serve the warrant. Officers spread out looking for Waste when one officer located Waste near a bike/pedestrian trail and ordered him to stop. Waste attempted to flee on a bicycle and fell down. Waste yelled, "I want to get shot, I want to go to heaven," then charged at the officer. Waste brandished a knife while chasing the officer, but the officer was able to utilize a police vehicle as cover, continuing to adjust his position to maintain a buffer between him and Waste while trying to convince Waste to drop the knife. A second officer was responding down a nearby hillside when Waste turned and aggressed the second officer with the knife. That officer fired two shots at Waste, striking him.

“The facts in this case reveal that Boise Police Officers were legally attempting to serve an arrest warrant on Waste for violent felonies. When encountered by police, Jeremy Waste was armed with a knife which he brandished, and threatened and chased officers with. At the time he was shot, Waste was advancing with the knife towards the officer who shot him. Therefore, when deadly force was used against Waste, the Officer was not only lawfully attempting to serve an arrest warrant on a violent felon and defending another law enforcement officer, but was acting in self-defense against a present threat to himself.” - Grant Loebs, Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney

Waste was treated and released from the hospital and charged with multiple crimes. He plead guilty to assault or battery upon certain personnel and to the enhancement for using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony and was sentenced to prison for 20 years, (10 fixed) on August 21, 2023. Waste was also sentenced to 30 years (10 fixed, to run concurrently) for Aggravated Battery (against the family member).

Boise Police Department on body video of the officer-involved shooting portion of the police response can be found below.

Notes about the video:

The provided videos stop before showing the injured suspect.
The attached video is being made available by the Boise Police Department to provide video relevant to the incident that was under investigation.
Additional video and information is available to request through the Public Records Request process (PRR)

Prosecutor: Boise City Police Officer was justified in November 2022 Officer-Involved Shooting The Twin Falls County Prosecuting Attorney determined that th...

08/20/2023

Caldwell Police are investigating two separate, non-related, shooting incidents that happened on August 19. The first incident happened just before 9 p.m. when officers were dispatched to a report of shots fired in the 300 block of East Freeport. Witnesses stated that approximately ten rounds were fired. The suspect vehicle (unsure of make/model) headed westbound on Freeport and turned on Centennial. Shell casings were recovered at the scene, it does not appear that any homes or vehicles were hit.
This case is under investigation by detectives and our Operation Safe Streets unit.

The same night, just before midnight, officers responded to the area of Karcher and Florida after multiple calls came into dispatch for shots fired. Officers were able to determine that some sort of road rage incident occurred, and the suspect vehicle shot at the victim’s vehicle multiple times. The suspect vehicle then fled the area at a high rate of speed. The vehicle is described as a white BMW or Cadillac (partial plate of 1P), with very dark tinted windows. No one was struck by any of the rounds.
This case is also being actively investigated by our detectives.

If you have any information about either incident, please call 208-343-COPS or non-emergency dispatch at 208-454-7531.

“There is no place for violence in our City and I am certain that we will bring those responsible to justice. Although we had these two unrelated back-to-back acts of cowardly gun violence, we had a very uneventful and safe rodeo week in Caldwell. I am proud of our officers who worked tirelessly all week so that Idahoans, and any visitor who traveled to our beloved City, could enjoy all of the festivities without fear of being victimized,” said Rex Ingram, Caldwell Chief of Police.

08/17/2023

Law enforcement Officer injured, suspect charged with aggravated battery on law enforcement:

Around 2 pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, a Boise Police officer was attempting to serve an arrest warrant on the 600 block of S. 13th Street. The officer made contact with the suspect, Christopher Woodard, who was located on the third floor of the building. During the attempt to arrest Woodard, Woodard struck the officer numerous times with his fists. The officer utilized multiple taser deployments on the suspect before Woodard attempted to pick the officer up and throw him over a nearby third-story railing to the ground below. The officer, being battered and fighting the attempt by the suspect to throw him over the railing, ultimately implemented a level 3 Lateral Vascular Neck Restraint (LVNR) to stop the suspect from causing further injury. Woodard was safely rendered unconscious and taken into custody without the use of deadly force. The officer was transported to the hospital and treated for multiple injuries. Woodard was transported to the hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Ada County Jail on the listed charges.

“Boise Police officers face danger every day and every night. Officers get hurt doing their jobs regularly, and are the victims of violent attacks against them too frequently, sometimes with weapons and sometimes without, but each event has the potential for significant injury to our officers. The vast majority of these incidents occur without fanfare, without press coverage, and frankly, without notice in most cases. When an officer comes this close to serious injury or death, I feel obligated to let our community know more about the sacrifices our officers are willing to make for the sake of public safety, and the close calls that often happen without the police use of deadly force and without most people’s knowledge,” said Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar.

08/09/2023

Garden City Police are investigating an active shooter event that occurred at approximately 9:30 AM in the 9200 block of Stoneham:

Details: At approximately 9:30 AM Garden City Officers were dispatched to a report of shots being fired in and from a residence in the 9200 block of Stoneham Drive in Garden City. Upon arrival, officers heard and saw gunshots being fired out of the house in their direction. Officers also learned that there was a other person in the house other than the shooter.

Officers immediately entered the house, where they located the other person and brought them to safety. Officers were able to take the suspect into custody without incident. Two officers fired their department issued fi****ms. No one was hurt during the incident.

The Ada County Critical Incident Task Force was activated, and the Boise Police Department is leading the investigation. This is still an ongoing investigation and there is no further information available at this time.

Garden City Police also said there is no active threat to the public at this time.

08/06/2023

Garden City and Boise Police Arrest Robbery Suspect from Multiple Business in Garden City:

Garden City and Boise Police have made an arrest in connection to two successful robberies and one attempted robbery over the last several weeks

Details: On August 5th, 2023, at around 11:32 P.M. Boise City Police located a stolen GMC utility truck near 6001 W Cassia Street. This truck was identified as the truck used during the robberies. Garden City Police responded to assist when 55-year-old local resident Warren Shaw fled from officers, drove recklessly through a high school football field, and crashed nearby Shaw attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after. He was transported to the Ada County Jail and booked on two counts of Robbery, one count of attempted Robbery, Grand Theft, Eluding Police in a Vehicle and Resisting Arrest.

He will be arraigned on these charges on August 7th, 2023, at 1:30 pm. Warren Shaw is also on parole or probation, and we anticipate the Idaho Department of Correction will issue an Agents Warrant for Shaw.

The Garden City Police Department would like to thank the public for aiding in this investigation and providing tips. Sgt. Rob Haynie said "It is a privilege to work in a community where law enorcement and community members can collaborate and hold people accountable for their actions."

08/05/2023

Garden City Police Investigate a Robbery:

Garden City Police are currently investigating a robbery at the Vista Pawn
located at 6961 W State St. Garden City.

Details: - At approximately 6:25 P.M. Garden City Police were dispatched to an armed robbery at Vista Pawn. Upon arrival, officers learned the following details. A male entered the store, presented a gun, and demanded money. After employees refused to comply, the suspect fled the
store in a white GMC pickup. He was last seen traveling southbound through the parking lot behind the D&B Supply.

The suspect is believed to be the same individual involved in the robbery of Wal-Mart the previous day. He was driving the same vehicle used in the previous robbery but removed the remaining business decals from the tailgate. Below are updated photos of the suspect and vehicle.

Garden City Police are asking for help in identifying this suspect and ask anyone with information to contact Ada County Dispatch at 208-377-6790, or Crime Stoppers at 208-343-COPS.

05/16/2023

It is National Police Week, and we wanted to share our appreciation and thanks to our Law Enforcement Officers. We are grateful of LEO's here in the Treasure Valley, and all across Idaho, thank you for your selfless work and dedicated service.

National Police week is a longstanding tradition, and affords us an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of law enforcement and honor those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country.

In honor of Idaho's fallen law enforcement officers, Sheriff Kieran Donahue and the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office will host the 11th annual Canyon County Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Friday, May 19, at Canyon Hill Church of the Nazarene Community Park. The event will begin at 2:00 p.m. with a police motorcade arriving at the park, followed by the posting of the colors by the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and the Caldwell Police Departments Pipes & Drums.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Idaho, Joshua D. Hurwit, and other honored guests will then deliver remarks, followed by the reading of the names of the 76 Idaho law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. A single rose will be placed on the stage in remembrance of each of Idaho's 76 fallen officers. Sheriff Donahue will also welcome special guest Angie Mendoza, survivor and girlfriend of slain LAPD gang investigator Fernando Arroyos in 2022.

https://facebook.com/events/s/11th-annual-canyon-county-law-/3364691553789042/

In the last 25 years, these brave men and women lost their lives serving their communities in Idaho. With Nyssa being apart of the Treasure Valley, I want to also recognize Cpl Johnson’s sacrifice and service.

-Joseph Johnson, Nyssa Police Department, EOW: 04/15/2023
-Wyatt Christopher Maser, Bonneville County Sheriff, EOW: 05/18/20
-Kent Donald Swanson, Shelly PD, EOW: 05/21/18
-Greg Moore, Cda PD, EOW: 05/05/2015
-Joshua Eggleston, Lincoln County Sheriff, EOW: 07/18/09
-Monte "Leroy" Matthews, Adams County Sheriff, EOW: 07/6/2009
-Lee Newbill, Moscow PD, EOW: 05/19/2007
-Christopher John Hensley, Lewis County Sheriff, EOW: 11/30/2003
-William J. Mann, IDOJC, EOW: 03/12/02
-Scott Palmer, Clearwater County Sheriff, EOW: 12/01/2001
-James Brian Moulson, Jerome County Sheriff, EOW: 01/03/01
-Phillip Charles Anderson, Jerome County Sheriff, EOW: 01/03/01
-Linda Carol Huff, Idaho State Police, EOW: 06/17/98
-Mark Arlin Stall, Boise PD, EOW: 09/20/97

The list goes on and you can read more about these and other fallen officers at Idahopeaceofficersmemorial.com

04/21/2023

It has been a long and challenging couple of weeks since one of our deputies was seriously injured during a violent confrontation on Interstate 84 – but today was a good day. A day to celebrate.

Deputy Todd Nelson was able to leave the hospital.

Todd has a lengthy recovery ahead of him but being able to leave the main hospital for in-patient rehabilitation is a major milestone — the next step in him getting better.

Dozens of Ada County Sheriff’s Office employees were joined by Ada County Paramedics; Boise, Garden City, Meridian, and Idaho State police and officers from other agencies, some from as far away as California; firefighters from all over the Treasure Valley; and the family and friends of Todd Nelson to greet him as he left the main hospital at Saint Alphonsus earlier today.

There were a ton of claps and cheers – and a few tears – as Todd emerged from the hospital and was greeted first by the hospital staff, his patrol team, his family and friends, the ACSO Honor Guard, and Sheriff Matt Clifford and his Executive Staff.

Todd then drove by a cordon of dozens of law enforcement officers at attention lining the sidewalk outside of St. Al’s as he left the hospital.

Todd has undergone multiple surgeries since he was injured on April 10 and has been an inspiration for so many here at the ACSO as he has tackled his medical recovery with gusto while maintaining a positive spirit.

We also want to pass on some extra thanks to Saint Alphonsus, for everything they have done for Todd and being excellent hosts.

If you want to know more about what happened on the morning of April 10, go to https://adacounty.id.gov/sheriff/blog/

As we said earlier, today was a good day. Our hope is each day gets better for Todd from now on.

Credit: Ada County Sheriff's Office

04/20/2023

The memorial service for Nyssa Police Reserve Corporal Joseph Johnson will be held this Saturday, April 22, at the Nyssa High School located at 824 Adrian Blvd, in the City of Nyssa (OR). The start time is 11:00 A.M. and the public is invited to attend. Additional venues will be identified in the anticipation of the main venue reaching capacity. In that case, the event will be simulcast for the public at those additional venues.

The service will be preceded by a law enforcement procession that will wind through the streets of Ontario and Nyssa ending at the Nyssa High School. The public is encouraged to stand on along the route to show their support for Reserve Corporal Johnson’s family, who will be riding in the procession.

Details of the route will be announced later this week, along with potential overflow venues where the service will be broadcast.

http://bit.ly/support-johnson-family.
All donations collected by the Foundation during this time will be given to the Johnson family.

04/16/2023

Update: Police have arrested Rene Castro, wanted in the Saturday killing of Nyssa reserve police officer Joseph Johnson. Castro was arrested in Ontario.

Press Release on behalf of Malheur County District Attorney: On-Duty Officer Killed- Malheur County

MALHEUR COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY
251 B Street West #6
Vale, Oregon 97918
[541] 473-5127

Press Release: April 16, 2023

To: Local and State Media Outlets
Re: On-duty Officer Killed

On April 15, 2023, at approximately 8:20pm, Nyssa Police Department Reserve Officer Joseph Johnson (43) was dispatched to a call of concern regarding a violent individual damaging property and threatening others near a residence in Nyssa. In the process of responding, Officer Johnson learned the suspect (Rene Castro) had fled in a vehicle and began a pursuit through the city. When it appeared, the vehicle was stopping at the residence at the corner of Locust and 3rd Street N., Officer Johnson pulled off the road as well. Immediately upon making the stop, an armed subject (believed to be Castro) began shooting at Officer Johnson. There was no time to return fire before Officer Johnson was fatally hit. Castro fled the scene immediately. EMTs were on scene in record time, with the Malheur County Sheriff’s department right behind, but Officer Johnson was already deceased. An Oregon State Trooper arrived soon after and assisted the Sheriff’s Deputy in setting up a perimeter and questioning possible witnesses. The Oregon State Police are heading the investigation, with help from the Malheur County Sheriff, Ontario Police, and pretty much every police agency from various departments in Idaho all the way to La Grande, including Federal authorities.

All available authorities continue to search for Rene Castro (36) of Nyssa. If anyone has any information about his possible location, please call Malheur County Dispatch at 541-473-5125.

The appreciation, love, and concern of all citizens of Malheur County go out to the family of Officer Johnson. The Fallen Badge Foundation is accepting donations on behalf of the family.

I plan to release another update by 8pm mountain time.

Credit- David M. Goldthorpe, Malheur County District Attorney and Oregon State Police