Crime

West Richland man jailed for holding a woman at knifepoint and raping her, police say

A West Richland man is in jail after holding a woman at knifepoint and raping her.

Jose Trujillo Meraz, 32, threatened a woman he knew with a knife inside a James Street home early this morning and stopped her from leaving, said West Richland police.

After an argument, he sexually assaulted her.

Neighbors heard the commotion and called police. When they arrived, Trujillo Meraz was gone.

Benton County deputies found him south of Kennewick and arrested him.

He was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of first-degree rape, second-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment.

CP
Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
Cameron Probert covers breaking news for the Tri-City Herald, where he tries to answer reader questions about why police officers and firefighters are in your neighborhood. He studied communications at Washington State University.https://mycheckout.tri-cityherald.com/subscribe?ofrgp_id=394&g2i_or_o=Event&g2i_or_p=Reporter&cid=news_cta_0.99-1mo-15.99-on-article_202404
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