In brief: Man accused of grabbing girl in park

Spokane police responded to a report of an attempted child abduction Tuesday in Browne’s Addition.

Officers arrested Jose L. Jiminez, 42, who is suspected of grabbing and refusing to let go of an 11-year-old girl in Coeur d’Alene Park. He is facing a charge of unlawful imprisonment, police said in a news release.

A woman who knew the girl saw the man grab her arm and called police around 7 p.m., police said. That witness yelled at Jiminez, who let go of the girl and left the park, police said. Officers tracked Jiminez to Rosauers, 1800 W. Third Ave., based on information provided by the witness.

Suspect now facing molestation charge

An additional criminal charge was added against the man accused of attempting to abduct a 13-year-old girl Friday afternoon from the parking lot of Wal-Mart at Shadle Center.

Keith D. Hooks, 51, is being held on $50,000 bond in the Spokane County Jail. He was arrested Friday on charges of indecent liberties and unlawful imprisonment. He is now facing a new charge of second-degree child molestation.

Video surveillance footage shows Hooks following the girl and grabbing her. She was able to get away briefly before he grabbed her again. The girl told police that Hooks put his arm around her and grabbed her breast. Hooks still had the girl in his grasp when the first police officer arrived, according to court records. Hooks told police that he had put his arm around the girl because she was cold.

Hooks does not have any criminal convictions in Washington.

Academy offering self-defense classes

Spokane police are hosting a one night self-defense class this week aimed at enhancing participants’ “survival mindset.”

The class will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Spokane Police Academy, 2302 N. Waterworks St.

Officers will discuss crime statistics and situational awareness and provide hands-on training on defensive tactics. A second class will be held April 23.

The department also is offering an advanced class with different threat scenarios on May 8 for people who complete the level-one training.

Classes are open to anyone 17 and older, though minors must have an adult family member present to participate. Advance registration is required. To register or learn more, visit the police department’s website at my.spokanecity.org/police/citizen/training/.

Forker Road closed for repairs today

Forker Road will be closed today between Progress and Bigelow Gulch roads as county crews repair two sections of damaged guardrails.

The closure is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Motorists are advised to use Wellesley Avenue and Argonne Road during the closure. Trucks should use Trent Avenue.

Workers also will remove sand and winter debris from beneath the guardrails, according to a Spokane County news release.

Bekken waives right to early hearing

Former North Idaho College financial aid director Joseph M. Bekken, who faces felony charges in his alleged scheme to entice students to have sex in exchange for college aid, has waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Bekken was in court Tuesday morning for a status conference before 1st District Judge Robert Caldwell. His attorney, Sean Walsh, told Caldwell the reason for the waiver had been filed under seal with the court. The preliminary hearing had been scheduled for Thursday.

Bekken was arrested Feb. 18 and charged with five felonies. He allegedly used a Craigslist notice to contact students with an offer of scholarship money in exchange for sexual relations.

Officer arrested on child porn charge

An Olympia man who works as a community corrections officer and a reserve police officer was arrested Tuesday on a charge of possession of child pornography.

Michael C. Boone, 38, is in the Thurston County Jail. Investigators were tipped off about the case by Microsoft, according to a Washington State Patrol news release. Boone works as a community corrections officer for the Washington Department of Corrections and as a reserve police officer for the city of Tenino.

The child pornography was found on Boone’s home computer after investigators obtained a search warrant.