Hoquiam Police investigate burglary and assault
Hoquiam Police have arrested 2 men following a burglary and assault on Saturday. Officers were called to the 400 block of Karr Avenue to a report of someone being assaulted with a baseball bat and another person being armed with a pistol.
Officers learned that two masked men, one armed with a baseball bat and the other with a handgun, had forced entry into a home. Police say that the man with the gun held three teenagers in the living room at gunpoint while the man armed with the bat went upstairs in the home. The woman was struck in the head several times with the bat, causing lacerations to her head. He then used a can of spray paint to paint over a tattoo on her arm. It appears the 21 year old woman upstairs was the intended target.
During the assault, the woman recognized the voice of the man with the bat. When confronted with this, both subjects fled the residence. The woman was treated at the scene by Hoquiam fire personnel and took herself to Grays Harbor Community Hospital.
Officers learned the assault looked to be retribution for an incident involving the death of a family member of one of the suspects. They felt the 21 year old is responsible for that death. The tattoo that was painted over was a picture of the deceased family member.
Hoquiam and Aberdeen officers located 2 suspects, a 34 year old Montesano man and a 39 year old Aberdeen man, at a residence in South Aberdeen. Both men were taken into custody without incident.
The 34 year old was booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail for Burglary 1st Degree. The 39 year old was booked into the Aberdeen City Jail on outstanding warrants. The investigation is ongoing and police believe more arrests may result from this incident.
If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact Detective David Blundred, 360-532-0892 ext. 109.
