PASCO — A Pasco pizza restaurant was robbed Monday night and police are investigating whether there is any connection to Sunday's armed robbery in Kennewick.
Around 7:10 p.m. Monday, an armed robber walked into Sahara Pizza, 6900 block of West Argent Road, and demanded cash from employees, said Pasco police Capt. Jim Raymond.
The suspect was armed with a chrome-colored handgun and was wearing a black ski mask that partially covered his face and a black hooded sweatshirt.
He got an undisclosed amount of cash and was seen leaving the area in a late model, red Mazda truck. It was last seen at Road 68 and the Interstate 182 interchange, Raymond said.
The suspect was said to be in his 30s, about 5-foot-9 to 6-foot-2 and skinny, Raymond said.
In Kennewick's incident, two suspects entered Round Table Pizza through a back door just before closing Sunday night and forced employees into the walk-in cooler.
A silver gun was seen by witnesses, who described the suspects as being 6 feet tall with medium builds. No one was hurt in either robbery.
Anyone with information about the incidents can call Pasco or Kennewick police. Anonymous tips also can be made through Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers at 586-8477.
Kennewick woman in jail after throwing beer can at police
A 39-year-old Kennewick woman is being held in the Benton County jail after throwing a beer can at officers trying to check on her well-being.
Kennewick police were called to Danielle Marie McGuigan's home in the 400 block of West 12th Avenue at 10:30 p.m. Sunday after her husband called police over concerns she had been drinking, said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police spokesman.
Jerry Mattos told officers his wife of six years recently found out he was having an affair and they got into an argument, Blatman said.
Mattos reportedly was struck with a TV tray and said McGuigan threw a deep-fryer cooker at his car, causing damage to the hood and windshield and splattering grease over the vehicle, Blatman said.
Mattos left, but said McGuigan apparently started drinking and he wanted police to check on her.
Officers went to the house and tried to get her to answer the door, but she didn't, and no sounds or movement were heard inside, Blatman said. They announced themselves multiple times before opening the front door, he said.
As the door opened, a beer can came flying toward them, it hit the door and exploded less than a foot away from an officer's head, Blatman said.
McGuigan was arrested on suspicion of first-degree malicious mischief, third-degree assault and fourth-degree domestic violence assault.
Kennewick woman hurt last week in fire healing
A Kennewick woman critically injured in a fire last week that killed her mom is improving at a Seattle hospital.
Aireen Upton, 49, is in satisfactory condition and has been moved out of the intensive care unit, said a spokeswoman at Harborview Medical Center.
Upton escaped from her mother's burning mobile home Jan. 23 by jumping out a bedroom window. She suffered severe burns and smoke inhalation.
Elvira "Elvie" Pidcock, 65, died in the early morning blaze that destroyed the single-wide mobile home at 4815 W. Clearwater Ave. No. 35.
Fire officials still are investigating the cause. They are waiting for an opportunity to talk to Upton once she recovers to find out what she saw, said Mike Blatman, Kennewick police spokesman.
The fire appears to be accidental, officials said.
HAPO, Windermere give $5,000 to Crime Stoppers
Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers received a $5,000 donation from two Tri-City businesses to continue their effort to fight crime.
HAPO Community Credit Union and Windermere Tri-Cities provided the donation through the Community Enrichment Foundation.
Ken Williams, president for Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers, said the donation "helps Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers continue its work with local law enforcement in helping to make the Tri-Cities and surrounding area an even safer place to live, work and play."
Crime Stoppers has been helping law enforcement agencies in Benton and Franklin counties since 1985.
In that time, tips have resulted in 5,093 arrests, 5,986 cleared cases, almost $2 million in recovered property and drugs, and paid out $70,000 in rewards.
Tipsters have helped officers apprehend homicide suspects, car prowlers and everything in between, officials said.
Tri-Cities Crime Stoppers pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information that results in a felony arrest.
For more information, go to www.tricitiescrimestoppers.org.
-- Paula Horton: 582-1556; phorton@tricityherald.com
