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Man attacks driver; charges sought
The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is seeking charges of assault and harassment against a 75-year-old Moses Lake man following an incident on Road U NW on Friday, March 12.
According to a report from the Sheriff’s Office, Gordon Groff was driving a minivan north on Road U NW at 1:26 p.m. when he began to tailgate a vehicle driven by Barbara Summers, 60, of East Wenatchee. Summers told deputies that shortly after she turned off Highway 28, Groff began to follow her closely. Summers began driving on the shoulder so Groff would pass her. Groff did pass her, almost sideswiping her car, and when he got in front of her, slowed down and forced Summers to stop.
When both cars stopped, Summers said Groff got out of his vehicle and started walking toward Summers’ car. Summers stepped out of her car and asked Groff if he needed help.
Groff told Summers that he had “enough” and was taking her to the police. Then he grabbed her by the hair and said he was going to kill her and tried to force her onto the ground.
Drivers in other cars stopped and were able to pull Groff away from Summers and detain him and call 911.
When law enforcement arrived, Groff had passed out. He was taken by ambulance to Quincy Valley Medical Center.
Deputies on the scene asked Summers if she wanted to press charges. Summers, after consulting with her boyfriend, said she would press charges, but wanted to go see her doctor in Yakima, where she was headed, and would not be able to give a written statement until later.
Groff was contacted by deputies at the hospital. He was given his Miranda Warning and then questioned about the incident. According to the sheriff’s report, Groff said he did not remember the incident. He said he had three mixed alcohol drinks earlier in the day.
The deputy then contacted Groff’s wife. She said her husband was having difficulty remembering things.
Deputies told her that Groff would not be arrested at the moment, but a report would be filed with the prosecutor’s office and charges of assault and harassment would be requested.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson John Turley said Groff wasn’t arrested at the hospital because they did not have a written statement from the victim.
“We had to have a written statement from the victim to find probable cause to arrest him,” he said.
Turley added that the Sheriff’s Office has received Summers’ statement and a warrant for Groff’s arrest is now being sought.
5 Comments
#2
Barb Summers commented, on March 20, 2010 at 6:42 p.m.:
I was never offered or informed of such a written statement, is it the sheriff's responsibility to provide this very important document or should we as citizens be expected to know that and keep these statements in our cars for assaults? Also, where does one obtain this form? If a victim is not able to sign physically, eg. unconscious from a crime then still no arrest without the form? All he asked is do I want to press charges and I said YES. I feel it is very important the public is informed on what our responsibilities are in case of a crime.
Almost hitting me front the back, trying to force me off the road, threatening to kill me, assault, attempted kidnapping, attempted burglary, and drunk driving seems like it should be sufficient cause for an arrest~ correct me if I am wrong Sheriff. Sincerely, Barb Summers
#3
davebrown commented, on March 22, 2010 at 12:19 p.m.:
This is an atrocious abuse of authority. Somehow it seems as if this is a buddy of the officers. The Aclu is geared up to fight just this kind of abuse of the public. I know that if it was me who suffered from this incident with no help or sympathy from the local authorties my aclu representitive would be on my speed dial. Hope all works out .
#4
confused commented, on March 22, 2010 at 6:56 p.m.:
I totally agree, why does the Sheriff want to make the victim the problem? ie. Wenatchee World interview...This scares me to death. I hope to NEVER be in Grant County's jurisdiction. Please answer the buring question Sheriff? Where is this form??
confused commented, on March 20, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.:
What more "probable cause" do you need to arrest a man who witnesses saw attack her? He was drunk wasn't he???
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