CRIME: Online relationship results in Kennewick pot robbery at gunpoint

Posted: 5:57pm on Sep 13, 2011; Modified: 5:59pm on Sep 13, 2011

KENNEWICK — A Burbank woman and two young men were arrested in Kennewick after allegedly robbing a man Sunday night whom she met online and knew possessed medical marijuana.

The Kennewick and Pasco police departments collaborated on the investigation that led to the arrests of Kathryn Wattenburger, 20, of Burbank, her boyfriend Jaren Turner, 18, of Richland, and Jessien Perry, 21, a transient.

Police said Wattenburger arranged for Eric Erdman of Kennewick, an internet acquaintance, to be robbed by Turner and his cousin, Perry, at a Kennewick church parking lot on 27th Avenue.

Wattenburger learned that Erdman had medical marijuana and arranged to meet him. At 9:56 p.m., she took him to the parking lot where he was robbed at gunpoint.

Turner and Perry took Erdman’s wallet, cell phone, drugs and cash. Erdman later called 911. Wattenburger was questioned by police but was not arrested.

Perry was arrested at the Motel 6 on Oregon Street in Pasco and police reported finding Erdman’s belongings and the gun.

Perry was booked into the Benton County jail Monday afternoon on several outstanding warrants and investigation of first-degree robbery. He also could face charges of possessing a gun and felony possession of more than 40 grams of marijuana.

On Tuesday, Turner turned himself in to Kennewick police and booked on suspicion of first-degree robbery.

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