A suspected car prowler tried to tell police he was out for a walk when Richland officers found him near a stolen car early Monday.

But officers didn't buy his story when they found him with a flashlight, multiple tools used for car prowling and burglary and gloves, said Richland police Sgt. Darryl Judge.

Officers were called around 4:40 a.m. after a resident reported seeing a man trying to get into a neighbor's car near Englewood Drive and Rathwood Avenue.

The caller said he confronted the man, later identified as 47-year-old Robert M. Morrison, and Morrison ran off, Judge said.

A detailed description of Morrison was provided to officers, and they began searching the area and found a stolen vehicle parked nearby, he said.

A Pasco police K-9 unit was called to help track Morrison, and during the search, officers found items taken from another vehicle, Judge said.

Morrison then was found by the police dog and arrested.

Officers found Morrison had the keys to the stolen vehicle, and they found his belongings inside the car, Judge said.

Morrison allegedly admitted to being in the stolen vehicle and said he was using methamphetamine.

Morrison was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle, vehicle prowling and possessing burglary tools.

Boardman man arrested for robbery, assault

A Boardman man called a "a scourge to society" by Hermiston's acting police chief was arrested on multiple charges, including robbery and assault, after leading officers on a chase in a stolen car.

Ramel Rodriguez, 31, was spotted by Hermiston police just before 3 p.m. Sunday in the passenger seat of a 1991 Honda Accord, said Acting Police Chief Jason Edmiston.

Officers knew Rodriguez was wanted for questioning in connection with a stolen vehicle investigation from November and that he had felony warrants for his arrest, he said.

Rodriguez also was allegedly identified as a suspect in a robbery that occurred around 8:15 p.m. Saturday at a Hermiston home.

Officers stopped the Honda near McNary Street and Beech Avenue, and when the driver got out of the car, Rodriguez slid into the driver's seat and took off, Edmiston said.

Rodriguez ran a red light about three blocks away and crashed into a 1999 Volkswagen Jetta in the intersection. He then bailed from the car and tried to run away, but was caught after a short chase, Edmiston said.

Rodriguez was booked into the Umatilla County jail on suspicion of failure to perform duties of a driver involved in an injury crash and property damage, attempt to elude police in a vehicle and on foot, unlawful possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He also is being held for investigation of four counts of first-degree robbery and pointing a firearm at another person, and one count each of second-degree assault, first-degree burglary and second-degree theft.

Rodriguez also is wanted for questioning in a burglary and aggravated theft case in Morrow County, Edmiston said.

"Mr. Rodriguez is clearly a scourge to society and not just specific to Hermiston, as he has been very active in both Umatilla County, as well as Morrow County," Edmiston said. "We are very fortunate nobody was seriously injured based on the numerous poor decisions made by Mr. Rodriguez."

The driver of the Jetta that was hit by Rodriguez also was arrested after officers determined he had two felony probation violation warrants.

Steven Broyles, 31, of Hermiston was also cited for driving on a suspended license and driving without insurance.

His passenger, Robert Swales, 27, of Stanfield, was treated for minor injuries and cited for possessing drug paraphernalia.

-- Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com