Good samaritan gets punched in the stomach and hit over the head
»Play Video
KENNEWICK, Wash. -- A case of neighbor helping neighbor ends with an act of violence. Just yesterday KEPR told you how knowing your neighbors could help you ward off crime, but in Kennewick it wasn't enough. A good samaritan was beat up after seeing people break into his neighbor's house.
The Maikes did all the right things to protect their home and neighborhood... Always watching out for their neighbors.
Arlene Maike tells KEPR, "I always have and they watch out for us too."
After 30 years living on West 16th Ave Kennewick, they've never had any issues with crime.
"We leave all the lights on and I thought that would take care of it," says Arlene.
But on Saturday night they were awakened in the middle of the night.
Arlene's husband, Kenneth explains, "The doorbell.. going crazy so I called out the window, ' Whats the Problem?'"
It was their next door neighbor, who told them that he saw three men breaking into their garage. When he tried stopping them, the suspects punched him in the face and hit him over the head with a pipe. Police responded with the canine unit, but lost the scent.
Luckily in this case, police say they are pretty confident someone will recognize the description.
Kennewick Corporal, Glenn Ball says, "The suspects did have orange hair.. With a spiked mohawk."
Along with their unique appearance, witnesses say one other thing stuck out.. A gas can out of one of the suspects jackets. Police say the motive in this case is simple: the suspects wanted to steal gas.
Kenneth can't believe it, "If a guy needs gas and thats all he needs, tell me. I'll give him some."
Something that maybe could have been prevented, has changed the way the Maike's look at their street.
Arlene says, "I'm more alert now. I check things out if I see a strange car parked."
Kenneth tries to laugh it off, "The neighborhood soon to be getting a little risky.. or maybe I'm just getting old."
Police say that a burglary in progress is a priority one crime. so if you see suspicious activity, it's better to call them and they will respond right away.
The Maikes did all the right things to protect their home and neighborhood... Always watching out for their neighbors.
Arlene Maike tells KEPR, "I always have and they watch out for us too."
After 30 years living on West 16th Ave Kennewick, they've never had any issues with crime.
"We leave all the lights on and I thought that would take care of it," says Arlene.
But on Saturday night they were awakened in the middle of the night.
Arlene's husband, Kenneth explains, "The doorbell.. going crazy so I called out the window, ' Whats the Problem?'"
It was their next door neighbor, who told them that he saw three men breaking into their garage. When he tried stopping them, the suspects punched him in the face and hit him over the head with a pipe. Police responded with the canine unit, but lost the scent.
Luckily in this case, police say they are pretty confident someone will recognize the description.
Kennewick Corporal, Glenn Ball says, "The suspects did have orange hair.. With a spiked mohawk."
Along with their unique appearance, witnesses say one other thing stuck out.. A gas can out of one of the suspects jackets. Police say the motive in this case is simple: the suspects wanted to steal gas.
Kenneth can't believe it, "If a guy needs gas and thats all he needs, tell me. I'll give him some."
Something that maybe could have been prevented, has changed the way the Maike's look at their street.
Arlene says, "I'm more alert now. I check things out if I see a strange car parked."
Kenneth tries to laugh it off, "The neighborhood soon to be getting a little risky.. or maybe I'm just getting old."
Police say that a burglary in progress is a priority one crime. so if you see suspicious activity, it's better to call them and they will respond right away.
