Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeFriday, Nov. 06, 2009
Alleged car vandal released until trial
By Kristin M. Kraemer, Herald staff writer
A teen was granted release to live with family in Everett while awaiting trial for allegedly vandalizing nearly three dozen cars in Kennewick.
Daniel Steven Calton, 18, pleaded innocent to first-degree malicious mischief and second-degree vehicle prowl. His trial is scheduled to start Jan. 11.
Meanwhile, court records show co-defendant Timothy James Steffenson pleaded guilty Wednesday in Juvenile Court to second-degree malicious mischief and possession of marijuana under 40 grams.
Steffenson, 17, of Kennewick was ordered to serve 20 days in detention, with credit for having served 8 days. He also must complete 50 hours of community service work and 12 months of community supervision.
A restitution hearing to determine what Steffenson owes the victims is scheduled for Dec. 9.
Kennewick police were called at 1:30 a.m. Oct. 28 by a woman who watched two people break into her car that was parked near her West Fourth Avenue home, court documents said. Officers reportedly found Calton and Steffenson in the neighborhood.
Steffenson was frisked for weapons and found to be carrying two knives and several emblems from different vehicles. He admitted to breaking into three vehicles that night and slashing tires on multiple others, documents said.
Calton allegedly told officers he broke into at least one car and slashed several other tires. "He stated that he used a knife to slash the tires but disposed of it before he was contacted by police officers," according to court documents.
Officers reported finding a car emblem in Calton's pocket.
Damage reported to a total 33 vehicles included slashed tires, broken windows, scratched paint and removed emblems. Gas caps also were missing from some cars, documents said.
One victim claimed a stereo, CDs and a jack were missing from her car in addition to having her four tires slashed and a window broken.
Total damage to all the cars is estimated by police in excess of $20,000.
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