New List Leads To Arrests Names In Newspapers Help Clear Outstanding Warrants

One wanted man saw his name in the newspaper and turned himself in.

Three men wanted for outstanding warrants landed in jail after people tipped off police to their whereabouts.

Kootenai County sheriff’s officials say it’s a sign their new “most wanted” list is working.

Two weeks ago, the sheriff’s department, in conjunction with local newspapers, began listing the names of 20 people wanted for outstanding arrest warrants.

So far, the weekly list has brought four people to jail, helped deputies find another man in prison and cleared 15 arrest warrants, said Capt. Ben Wolfinger.

“I think it shows that everybody can work together for positive results,” said Sheriff Pierce Clegg.

Every Monday, The Idaho Spokesman-Review runs a list of five people wanted for felony warrants and 15 people wanted on misdemeanor warrants. The list appears on the Idaho Chronicle page in The Handle section.

In the past five years, the number of warrants issued for crimes committed in Kootenai County has grown by 65 percent.

Arrest warrants are issued for a variety of reasons. A person may be a suspect in a crime, they may have failed to show up for a court hearing or they may owe fines.

Sheriff’s deputies said they hope the lists help them apprehend serious criminals and encourage others to either turn themselves in or clear up their debt with the court, Wolfinger said.

They ask that people with information on the whereabouts of wanted criminals call the sheriff’s department at (208) 664-1511.

“The first week, we got nine calls to our office,” said Bob Williams, head of the warrants section. “I think it’s a positive step.”

Lisa Mason, warrants clerk at the sheriff’s department, said the following people’s warrants were cleared thanks to the weekly list and tips from the community.

Robert T. Rohkohl Jr., 25, of Hayden, was wanted for a drug possession charge and turned himself in after seeing his name in the newspaper.

A tip led deputies to find Tony P. Scollick, 23, of Coeur d’Alene, behind bars in Montana. He will be extradited to Kootenai County after he serves his time there. He was wanted in Kootenai County for six outstanding warrants.

Tommy M. Caster, 45, of Coeur d’Alene, was arrested on a tip for a violation of a protection order charge.

Richard B. McDonald, 44, of Athol, was arrested on a tip for failing to appear in court on a drunken driving charge.

Jeremy S. Triano, 21, of Coeur d’Alene, was arrested on a tip for failing to appear in court on a drunken driving charge.

A tip has led deputies to believe that Eugene T. Carrier, 43 of Longview, Wash., is dead.

, DataTimes