Masked robbers hit accused murderer’s home

Masked robbers forced their way into the Spokane Valley home of an accused murderer Monday, knocking down a woman living there and escaping with undisclosed valuables, authorities said.

Spokane Valley police are investigating.

County records show the home, located in the 19300 block of East Valleyway, is owned by Daniel Arteaga, who is being held at the Spokane County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail while awaiting trial on a first-degree murder charge. Arteaga, 41, is accused of the Jan. 1, 2012, slaying of Kimberly Rae Schmidt.

In Monday’s home invasion robbery, a 23-year-old woman was in the home at the time and suffered minor injuries to her hand but reportedly declined medical attention.

“Some guys came in the house, took the items and were in and out fairly quick,” Deputy Mark Gregory said.

Reward offered in CdA graffiti spree

Coeur d’Alene police hope the lure of a cash reward will help solve a string of graffiti cases.

There have been 18 cases in the city’s downtown business district since Dec. 1. The most recent case was Tuesday morning at the city’s band shell.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (208) 667-2111 or 1-800-222-TIPS. Information can be submitted online at www.crimestoppersinlandnorthwest.org.

87-year-old suspect said he felt bullied

SEATTLE – Frank Arthur Hames told police he felt bullied by an employee at an assisted living home in Stanwood, so he took his handgun, walked into the man’s office and said, “I’ve got something for you,” court documents say.

The 87-year-old is accused of firing a small-caliber pistol twice Monday, hitting the employee once in the abdomen. The 57-year-old supervisor was able to jump up and wrestle the pistol away, police said in a probable cause statement. Other staff members held Hames until police arrived.

The victim, identified as Roger Holbrook, of Mount Vernon, was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The hospital said he was treated and released.

Hames appeared in court Tuesday, where bail was set at $200,000.

The Snohomish County prosecutor’s office has until Thursday to make a charging decision on Hames, who was arrested for investigation of first-degree assault with a firearm after the shooting at Josephine Sunset Home.

“The staff member is at home,” Josephine CEO Terry Robertson said Tuesday. “It was very traumatic for him. He’s very happy to be alive today.”

Robertson said the accusations of abuse are baseless.

Friends and relatives of Holbrook say he has dedicated his life to helping the elderly.

Car fleeing shooting hits school bus

PUYALLUP, Wash. – A Pierce County sheriff’s spokesman said a Puyallup school bus with elementary school children aboard collided with a car fleeing the scene of a nearby shooting on Tuesday afternoon but no one was hurt.

Detective Ed Troyer said no one was injured in the crash and the bus suffered minimal damage from the glancing blow. About 20 children were taken off that bus and taken away in another bus.

By early Tuesday evening, deputies had arrested a 32-year-old man for investigation in the shooting.

Troyer said the man was arrested for investigation of assault, hit-and-run and possession of stolen property.